Olá friends👋

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026.  

We chose this weekend for our first issue as it's full of movement and meaning.

Carnival is here with masks, colour, noise, and laughter returning to the streets, a northern way of shaking off winter.

On 17 February the calendar turns again. 

Shrove Tuesday coincides with the Chinese New Year and a rare solar eclipse.   A ring of fire in the sky. There’s no shared history between these traditions, but the symbolism is striking. Across cultures, this moment marks a turning of the cycle.

Noise to chase away what’s heavy in the world.   

Fire to invite what’s next. 

A collective gesture toward renewal after a long and very wet winter.

This week’s letter sits right there.   Between seasons, endings and beginnings.

A little joy, a little reflection, and a reminder that even after storms, communities know how to gather and begin again.

Let’s step into it together. 🎭✨

🎁 Special Feature: Carnival in the North

🟡 Who’s Who: Careto of the Carnival - the Trickster

🗞️ Community News: Showing up when it matters

🎉 What’s On: Carnaval picks + regional fair + book club

☁️ Weather & Tides: Chuva…and a little sunshine

 (After winter, spring always comes.)

After long days, heavy weather, and slow months, this saying reminds us that cycles do turn

Carnival in northern Portugal isn’t just a parade.  It’s a release.

Long before floats and confetti, this was a moment when winter loosened its grip.  When noise, colour, and mischief were invited back into village life.

In the mountains of Trás-os-Montes, Carnival still carries its oldest shape.

Masked figures known as Caretos roam the streets wearing bright wool costumes, tin masks, and belts of cowbells that clang with every jump and chase. They disrupt the ordinary rhythm of things.  A ritual way of waking the land, the body, and the community after winter.

These Celtic-influenced folk rituals are linked to fertility, renewal, and rites of passage. Echoes of an older agrarian calendar where the end of winter mattered deeply.

In places like Podence, these customs are so ancient they’ve been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The burning of the Entrudo effigy at the end of Carnival marks the closing of one cycle and the beginning of another.

Winter released, spring invited in.

Here in Viana, the ‘Corso de Carnaval’ is more recent, more playful, more scenic, shaped by the city, the river, and the sea. 

So whether you’re watching a parade, hearing distant bells, or simply noticing the mood lift in the streets…know that carnival is doing what it has always done here.

Shaking off winter.
And reminding us that renewal is noisy, joyful, and shared.

Come on, spring — we’re ready for you now.

Every Carnival has its character.
In the north of Portugal, it’s the Careto.

The Careto belongs to an older, pagan rhythm.   Clad in fringed wool the colour of life itself — reds, greens and yellow. Rooted in pre-Roman pagain traditions, the mask symbolizes the temporary presence of gods or the dead among the living.

The Careto is not a person so much as a force.

A trickster. A wild one. A temporary shapeshifter of anarchy and mischeif.

Rooted in pre-Roman pagan traditions, the mask symbolizes the temporary presence of gods or the dead among the living.

For centuries, young villagers have stepped into this role at carnival, slipping behind the mask and into a different order of things. The Careto runs, jumps, rattles cowbells, barges into houses and taverns, steals sips of wine, teases, disrupts.

Social rules loosen. Authority is mocked. Winter is challenged.

Over the past weeks, severe storms and flooding have impacted communities across Portugal… some just a few hours from here.

In response, a small group from the north, led by Luís and Leonor from Vila Praia de Âncora decided to act, not just watch.

What began as a simple WhatsApp message quickly turned into vans, generators, food, and essential supplies delivered directly to families in Leiria and surrounding villages, many left without power or basic support.

They were among the first organised groups from the north to arrive  powered by donations, borrowed vans, and a lot of determination.

If you’re able to help, their GoFundMe remains active as they continue returning with supplies and support: Donate here.

You can follow their ongoing work and updates at @hirundo_org on Instagram.

This Carnival arrives in a complicated moment in Portugal.   Heavy weather, recovery efforts ongoing, and many people feeling stretched with forecasters suggesting more storms on the way. 

What follows are a few small, local ways carnival is showing up this week, should you feel like stepping out.

On Monday, 16 February, the Casa do Povo de Santa Marta de Portuzelo opens its doors for an evening of Carnival spirit, with plenty of animation, good music, and a welcoming, community-led atmosphere.

Neighbours, costumes, laughter, and the kind of shared celebration that Carnival has always been about.

📅 Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
🕙 Time: From 22:00
📍 Location: Casa do Povo de Santa Marta de Portuzelo
Rua de Santa Marta 76, 4925-104 Viana do Castelo

🎯 Good to know:
– Fancy dress encouraged
– Suitable for all ages
– Organised by the local cultural and sports association

🎉 Carnaval é em Santa Marta de Portuzelo.

A simple invitation to step out, dress up, and celebrate together.

From 13 to 17 February, the City Council of Viana do Castelo is running Viana Amor & Folia, a city-wide programme that brings together Carnival traditions and Valentine’s Day moments across several days.

The programme includes a mix of small events, performances, family activities, and cultural moments happening in different parts of the city.

📅 Dates: 13–17 February 2026
📍 Location: Various locations across Viana do Castelo
ℹ️ Full programme: cm-viana-castelo.pt

🎯 Good to know:
This is a spread-out programme.  You can choose what suits you, attend one moment, or simply enjoy the atmosphere in the city during these days.

Teatro Municipal Sá de Miranda has several wonderful shows and performances on offer.

A cinema screening at the municipal theatre — a quieter cultural possibility during Carnival week if you’re looking for an indoor option that’s calm, creative, and rooted in local programming.

📅 16 Feb 2026
📍 Teatro Municipal Sá de Miranda, Viana do Castelo
🎫 Tickets & info: check Teatro Municipal Sá de Miranda box office before you go (tmsm.pt)

A fun theatrical offering running for a few days surrounding Carnival weekend — another great indoor cultural experience if the weather turns stormy (as forecast).
📅 19 – 21 Feb 2026
📍 Teatro Municipal Sá de Miranda, Viana do Castelo
🎫 Tickets: ~€5–€10 via Teatro Municipal Sá de Miranda box office (tmsm.pt) 

🎟️ Mistério Da Vinci
A playful, imaginative theatre piece blending story, science, and curiosity. Perfect for families and young audiences. Runs 10 Feb – 7 Mar 2026. 

Tickets generally €5 – €10 and can be purchased online via the theatre’s box office or local ticketing platforms.

Hello book lovers — this one’s for you.

A local book club is opening its circle to new members. They meet to read thought-provoking novels and have lively, spirited conversations about them.

Recent reads include:
James by Percival Everett
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re new to the region or simply looking for thoughtful company and good books.

📲 Join the WhatsApp group here:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Hs5vUiCNL494kJVwGm01lJ

A celebration of rural life, food, and producers, the Feira 100 % Agrolimiano brings together local farms and artisans to showcase honey, sidra, vinho verde, enchidos, fruit, vegetables and more in Ponte de Lima.

📅 Dates: 20 – 22 February 2026
📍 Location: Pavilhão de Feiras e Exposições, Ponte de Lima
📍 Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pavilhão+de+Feiras+e+Exposições+Ponte+de+Lima

🎯 Best for:
• families & food lovers
• people who enjoy slow markets, local producers & tasting regional specialties
• anyone planning a short regional outing during Carnival week

💡 Good to know:
This annual fair highlights authentic Alto Minho products and gives you a chance to meet makers and producers in person.  Arrive in the morning for tastings and stay for a relaxed lunch in Ponte de Lima’s historic centre.

Next week in Viana do Castelo looks like the sky can’t quite decide what mood it’s in: expect a dramatic mix of rain, clouds, a bit of wind for personality, and the occasional shy appearance from the sun… just enough to give you false hope.

Temperatures will hang around the mid-teens, meaning it’s not freezing, but it’s definitely “bring a jacket just in case” season.

In summary: perfect weather for testing umbrellas, questioning your outfit choices, and pretending you totally planned that cosy indoor week anyway.🌧️🌤️

If you enjoyed this please forward it to a friend who loves Viana… or wishes they did.

Thanks for being part of this community. 

With love

From Viana

P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of local Vianense ? Email us at [email protected]