• The President of the European Network highlighted “the authenticity and human value behind these traditions”
• Under the title “Living Identities,” the conference reflects on the meaning of authenticity, the challenges of heritage management, and the touristic development of these celebrations
• It is being held in the Portuguese cities of Ovar and Santa Maria da Feira until October 10, 2025
• Around twenty experts from Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, and Malta are taking part

09.10.2025.- The European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations inaugurated yesterday afternoon the third edition of the European Conference on Holy Week and Easter, which is being held until tomorrow, Friday, in the Portuguese cities of Ovar and Santa Maria da Feira. Under the title “Living Identities”, the event reflects on the value of authenticity, the challenges of heritage management, and the touristic development of these celebrations.

The opening ceremony featured the participation of Victor Pacheco, from the Commission of Lenten Solemnities of Ovar; Daniel Mota, from the Holy Week Commission of Santa Maria da Feira; Rui Ferreira, coordinator of the Scientific Committee of the European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations; Domingos Silva, Mayor of Ovar; and Gil Ferreira, from the Municipal Council of Santa Maria da Feira.

Alongside them, the president of the European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations, Sergio Velasco, addressed the audience, highlighting the authenticity and human value behind these traditions. According to Velasco, “Holy Week and Easter constitute a living heritage, a reflection of the identity, faith, and creativity of the European communities that keep them alive”. In this regard, he called for efforts “to preserve the essence of these celebrations in the face of globalization and tourism challenges, promoting a balance between heritage conservation and community life”.

His words also served to emphasize the role “of people—children, youth, the elderly, artisans, and brotherhood members—as true living identities, with the European Network serving as a space for cooperation that unites towns from different countries around a shared legacy”.

Sergio Velasco concluded his speech with a message of “hope and commitment to the future”, inviting everyone to protect and promote this heritage as a source of spirituality, culture, social cohesion, and connection among Europeans.

Following the opening act, a performance by the Adufeiras and Botar de Almas groups from Idanha a Nova took place, along with the inaugural lecture titled “Identity and Circumstance: Reflections Based on Some Religious Festivities”.

Conference Program

Today, Thursday, the morning sessions include the lectures “Holy Week: A History of Faith and Culture” and “The Procession Within: Holy Week and the City – Ávila and Braga”, followed by the round table “Heritagization: Protection or Evolution?” In the afternoon, the program features the lecture “Art in Easter Celebrations: Colored Eggs, Palms, Contests, and Festivities in Poland” and thematic presentations under the titles “Passion and Identity”, “Religion and Culture in the Public Space”, and “City, Beliefs, and People”. The day will conclude with a guided tour of the city of Ovar.

Tomorrow, Friday, the program will include the round table “Tourism: Risk or Opportunity”, the closing ceremony, and a guided tour of Santa Maria da Feira.

Exploring Living Identities

Organized by the European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations, in collaboration with the Commission of Lenten Solemnities of Ovar and the Holy Week Commission of Santa Maria da Feira, the conference is supported by CITCEM (Transdisciplinary Research Centre “Culture, Space and Memory”, University of Porto) and CEHR (Centre for Studies in Religious History, Catholic University).

Among its goals are to explain the concept of “identity” and understand how it is reflected in communities and their practices; to discuss the relevance of interdisciplinarity in the study of these celebrations, as well as the challenges posed by the processes of their heritagization; to explore the different expressions of Holy Week and Easter practices and manifestations as a result of continuous cultural exchange; and to debate and reflect on the challenges that tourism presents to Holy Week and Easter celebrations today.

Around twenty experts from Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland, and Malta are taking part.

More information

Web: https://holyweekconference.eu/

More about the European Network

The European Network of Holy Week and Easter Celebrations, created in 2019, is an organization dedicated to promoting and disseminating the traditions linked to Holy Week and Easter, thus safeguarding their rich heritage. Its main goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the values of this vast legacy, which remains alive across much of Europe —a heritage that combines remarkable local diversity with its wide presence as a shared cultural element among many regions.