with roots dating back hundreds of years, the festa do divino, or festival of the divine,  has been celebrated in paraty since its introduction by portuguese settlers in the eighteenth century.

declared a brazilian cultural heritage in early 2013, the festival entails 11 days of masses, litanies, games, food, drink, music and dancing to commemorate pentecost, 50 days after easter.

though some aspects have been altered over time, the basic principles of the festival of distribution of food to the poor and candy to children remain unchanged to this day.

preparations for the festivities begin a year in advance - ostensibly the day after the previous festival - and practically the entire community participates in the planning.