With costumes, choreography and elements that value the region's popular traditions, the groups brought to the square a display of the dedication developed over the months of preparation. Santarém City Hall The official launch of the 50th Santarém Folk Festival, in western Pará, brought together around 4 thousand people on Saturday night (6), at Praça Barão de Santarém. The event marked the beginning of the countdown to the festival, recognized as one of the region's main traditions. The official program for the 50th edition is scheduled for the period from August 6th to 9th, at Esplanada do Tapajós. In total, 40 folkloric groups will participate in the party, 30 of which will be distributed in the competitive competition categories. During the ceremony, the public saw a preview of the choreography and costumes developed for the June season. "More than an event, the festival moves the economy, generates opportunities, values ​​local artists and strengthens the cultural identity of our people. What the public saw today was just a preview of the grand spectacle that will be presented in August" highlighted the municipal secretary of Culture, Priscila Castro. The president of the organizing committee, Tatiane dos Santos, reinforced the multisectoral impact of the historic edition. "In addition to valuing popular culture, the festival moves different sectors of the economy, benefiting traders, entrepreneurs and workers", explained the manager. Saturday's event also defined the official order of entry for the associations in the four categories of the event. Carimbó, recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Brazil, maintains a strong role in valuing Amazonian identity. "The Folk Festival is a very important space for valuing artists, popular culture and our stories", said dancer Robson Costa, choreographer of the group Carimbó do Pará. The traditional and stylized gangs, which represent the scenic evolution and historical recovery of the event, also promise fierce disputes. For Andresson Ribeiro, leader of the Quadrilha Tradicional Meu Xamego, the project has a social bias that helps in the training of children and young people throughout the year. The comic and caricature side will be handled by the comedy gangs, who end the nights with satires on everyday life. Check out the presentation order defined for the August festival: Traditional Gangs Junina Traditional Estrela D’Alva Junina Traditional 5 Hoops Junina Traditional My Xamego Junina Traditional Flor do Pará Junina Traditional Clover of Love Junina Traditional Heart of Pará Stylized Quadrilhas Quadrilheiros Show Big Ben June Hurricane Flower of the Sertão Raiar do Sertão Star of Tapajós My Xodo Junina Caipira Carimbó Carimbó do Pará Tapajonic Gingado Tapajoara Region Carimbó Caboclo Carimbó Seduction Carimbó Ballet Charm of Tapajós Carimbó Festival Humorous Quadrilles We in Roça Fuzuê das Laranjeiras The Turbinadas The Popozudas Bofes and Ruffles Only Fuleragem Piranhas and Mocreias The Peruas in Roça VIDEOS: Most viewed from g1 Santarém and Region