The main reason for the Festival of Trays is the Great Parade of Trays that acquired so much importance that it gave its name to the Festival that today is only known as Festival of Trays (Festa dos Tabuleiros).
As the late Dr. Fernando Araújo Ferreira stated, “the tray is a hymn of color. A poem born from the popular art of Tomar. From the hands and inspiration of your people. Obeying traditional rules, he is the one who arms it and he decorates it. From generation to generation passed the way, the beautiful heritage. The tray is a bread offering, so the bread must be visible, the ornamentation belongs to the taste of those who decorate it, with paper flowers and greenery if necessary. The Parade lives and enchants by the variety of colors and ornaments. »
We cannot resist transcribing some of the words of Dr. Manuel Guimarães, a historian, which translate the emotion that goes through those who go to the parade and those who watch his passage: «The girls, main figures, parade in two long lines beside their helpers (the boys) who remain inside but always attentive to their companions. They go to Praça da República, where the parade rolls up harmoniously until it smoothly fills the central plate. A representative of the Church comes to the Square, wearing a vest, to bless the Trays. Then, at a signal from the bell, it is the elevation, an unforgettable moment. An impressive human frame, touches this magical moment, which is unique, touched by its grandeur, symbolism and beauty, unique in our art and culture.»
As the late Dr. Fernando Araújo Ferreira stated, “the tray is a hymn of color. A poem born from the popular art of Tomar. From the hands and inspiration of your people. Obeying traditional rules, he is the one who arms it and he decorates it. From generation to generation passed the way, the beautiful heritage. The tray is a bread offering, so the bread must be visible, the ornamentation belongs to the taste of those who decorate it, with paper flowers and greenery if necessary. The Parade lives and enchants by the variety of colors and ornaments. »
We cannot resist transcribing some of the words of Dr. Manuel Guimarães, a historian, which translate the emotion that goes through those who go to the parade and those who watch his passage: «The girls, main figures, parade in two long lines beside their helpers (the boys) who remain inside but always attentive to their companions. They go to Praça da República, where the parade rolls up harmoniously until it smoothly fills the central plate. A representative of the Church comes to the Square, wearing a vest, to bless the Trays. Then, at a signal from the bell, it is the elevation, an unforgettable moment. An impressive human frame, touches this magical moment, which is unique, touched by its grandeur, symbolism and beauty, unique in our art and culture.»
Source: Festa dos Tabuleiros 2011