the festival is a three-day extravaganza, with the aim of promoting brotherhood among men - it is held during the period of pentecost, which falls 50 days after easter.

the festa do divino has biblical origins, but the celebrations can be traced back to the small town of alenquer, in portugal, during the 14th century.

the festival made its way to angra dos reis sometime during the 17th century, and has been an important event in the city ever since.