Festa de Santo Antônio is recognized as a historical heritage of MT and the city hosts an event The traditional Festa de Santo Antônio, one of the oldest religious celebrations in Barra do Garças, reaches its 73rd edition in 2026. The event began on May 29th and ends this Sunday (14th), with thousands of faithful in a program in honor of the patron saint that includes masses, processions and cultural events. This year, the festivity takes on a special meaning as it is the first edition held after being recognized as a historical, cultural and intangible heritage of Mato Grosso. Known as the saint of causes linked to love, marriage and family, Saint Anthony inspires stories of devotion that span generations. In Barra do Garças, there is no shortage of reports from faithful who attribute graces to their patron saint, including stories of relationships that began under his intercession. For professor Carline Trentin and lawyer Pedro Bilego, the party was not only a stage for a religious celebration, but also a moment that marked the beginning of a new stage in their lives together. During a night of partying, the two decided to have dinner at the event when they came across a charity event promoted by community volunteers. To raise funds, sweets and cakes were sold in a jar. When purchasing one of the desserts, the couple was surprised by a ring hidden inside the packaging. At the time, the two were already talking about engagement and plans for the future. Therefore, the discovery was interpreted as a special sign. The object ended up being adopted as the "St. Anthony's ring" and symbolically became the couple's engagement ring. "At the time we were very happy, it was a confirmation that we were following the right path. Soon after, we got engaged, married and now we are expecting a baby" recalls Carline. For professor Carline Trentin and lawyer Pedro Bilego, the party was a moment that marked the beginning of a new stage in their lives together. Reproduction Sympathies of Saint Anthony On the left, the traditional charm of Saint Anthony's bread, kept to attract prosperity and abundance. On the right, the popular belief of placing the image of the saint in the rice container after making a wish, as a way of reinforcing the promise and seeking the desired grace. Reproduction- Adelino Miranda Farias Neto For those who haven't yet found their "better half", Santo Antônio also inspires popular sympathies and traditions passed down from generation to generation. It is often associated with beliefs that promise to help in the search for great love and are still present in popular culture. To g1, DJ and businessman Adelino Miranda Farias Neto, 57 years old, says that he learned many of these traditions from his family. According to him, the teachings were passed from his great-grandmother to his grandmother, then to his mother, and remain preserved in his memory. See the sympathies: Santo Antônio rice One of the best-known sympathies, according to Adelino, involves making a request to the saint during the festive period. Tradition says that, if grace is not achieved within three days, the image of Saint Anthony must be placed upside down inside a container with rice and remain that way until the request is fulfilled. St. Anthony's Bread Another popular tradition is related to the bread distributed during masses in honor of the saint. According to belief, whoever participates in the celebration, receives the bread and keeps it at home can count on the intercession of Saint Anthony to open paths in their love life and attract prosperity. "If you are stranded, can't get married, attend mass, take this bread and take it home. From then on, Saint Anthony will do his part", said Adelino. The practice is part of the devotion of believers who turn to the saint in search of blessings for relationships, family life and also for issues related to prosperity. Chip of Saint Anthony Another popular tradition linked to Santo Antônio is that of the saint's dick chip. Sympathy advises that, when removing a small splinter from the wood, the person imagines the characteristics they want to find in a future love. After that, the sliver must be kept in your purse or wallet until the request is fulfilled. The tradition is to take and keep a 'splinter' of Santo Antônio's dick until you find idealized love. Reproduction- Matheus Lobo ⛪ 'Whoever didn't ask, ask' In addition to the religious program, the festival is also marked by cultural attractions and moments of celebration that help keep the tradition of the celebration alive. Between fairs, musical performances, a food court and activities for families, one of the most awaited moments by the public is the traditional bingo, which has brought together residents and visitors in the parish courtyard for decades. At the head of the attraction is José Francisco de Araújo, better known as "Zé do Bingo". With the catchphrase "Who didn't ask, ask" and the traditional 'shots' of cachaça distributed to the participants, he became one of the most emblematic figures of the Santo Antônio Festival. A guaranteed presence at the celebration for 37 years, Zé says that the connection with Barra do Garças is so strong that, at the end of each edition, he begins to count the days until he returns the following year. "I am very well received in Barra do Garças. I really like the city and this party. I'm leaving and I'm already hoping to return next year", he said. According to the Municipal Secretary of Culture, José Roberto Ferreira Ribeiro, devotion to Santo Antônio is directly linked to the history of Barra do Garças. In addition to being the official patron saint of the municipality, the saint is also related to the origins of the city. This is because the founder of the old Barra Cuiabana village, which gave rise to the municipality, was the prospector Antônio Cristino Cortes, considered one of the region's pioneers and a devotee of Santo Antônio. The religious tradition has passed through generations and remains present in the city's cultural and historical identity. "It is part of the municipality's official calendar of cultural events. During the event, we have several cultural attractions and artists from the municipality who perform. We have the famous auction of auctioned gifts, cultural attractions and an amusement park. It represents the main cultural festival in our city", stated the secretary of culture. This year, the celebration reached its 73rd edition and coincides with the parish's 70th anniversary. In a good-humored tone, the religious man stated that the community celebrates the church's "platinum anniversary", with a program that included the Mastro Blessing Cavalcade, trespass, masses, food court and activities for the whole family. According to the priest of the Santo Antônio Parish, Waldomiro Nogueira, the origin of the festival is linked to the formation of the Catholic community in the municipality. He recalled that the first celebrations were carried out by Salesian priests who left Araguaiana to serve the miners in the region, when the current parish church did not yet exist. Over the years, the festival accompanied the growth of the city and became one of the main religious traditions in the Araguaia Valley. "The festival is part of the history of Barra do Garças. It was born together with the community and helped to build the religious and cultural identity of the municipality. Today, in addition to strengthening faith, it also preserves the memory of the people who helped build the parish and keep this tradition alive throughout generations", he stated. With 52 years of experience working at parties and events across the country, Zé do Bingo states that the public continues to be primarily responsible for the success of the attraction. For him, bingo is already part of the identity of the Santo Antônio Festival and continues to bring together generations of participants in a tradition that spans decades. Historical heritage of Mato Grosso The event officially became part of the Historical, Artistic and Cultural Heritage of Mato Grosso after the sanction of Law No. 13,355, published on May 12, 2026. The rule, authored by state deputy Max Russi, recognizes the Santo Antônio Festival as a cultural heritage of Mato Grosso, highlighting its historical, artistic and cultural importance for the municipality and the state. With the publication of the law, the traditional religious celebration now has official recognition from the Government of Mato Grosso as a cultural manifestation relevant to the preservation of local traditions. The city council celebrated the recognition of the traditional Santo Antônio Festival as a Historical Heritage Site. In a statement, the organization states that, in addition to bringing together thousands of faithful and visitors, the festival also boosts religious tourism and the local economy. "This recognition strengthens a festival that is part of the history of Barra do Garças and the affectionate memory of many families. It is an achievement for the entire community, which has kept this tradition alive for decades", highlighted the city hall in a statement. For the Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Weliton Marcos Rodrigues de Oliveira, the recognition strengthens cultural and religious tourism in the municipality. According to the ministry, the celebration is one of the main symbols of local identity and becomes even more part of the city's calendar of events, helping to attract visitors and boost sectors such as hotels, commerce and food. "Our city already stands out for its ecotourism, waterfalls, hot waters, the Araguaia River and ufology. Now, with the Festa de Santo Antônio officially recognized as the State's cultural heritage, we gain another important attraction to strengthen cultural and religious tourism. [...] It is a recognition that values ​​our history and opens up new opportunities for the tourist development of Barra do Garças.", stated the secretary of tourism. Traditional feast of Saint Anthony in Praça da Matriz Reproduction- Matheus Lobo