We want a party in São Simão de Litém!!

The August Festival is the soul of São Simão. After the storm, our community faces difficult repairs. Help us keep this tradition alive and ensure that, from August 14th to 16th, 2026, our village will once again celebrate together!

The August Festival in São Simão de Litém has been, for generations, the beating heart of our village. It's the highlight of the year, when the streets are filled with life and where the people of São Simão who grew up here, played here, were happy here—and who return every year to relive memories of their childhood and their roots—come back from everywhere. This is not just a festival. It's a reunion. It's a collective embrace. It's a celebration of the love for the land that saw us born.

The August Festival is made up of everything that connects us: the philharmonic orchestra that provides music for our pride, the procession that honors our faith, the traditional games that make young and old laugh, the fair full of eye-catching ceramic pieces, the folk dance group that makes us think of times gone by, and the concerts that illuminate the warm summer nights. It is our intangible heritage, built over decades by generous hands and a community that has never failed us.

But this year is different. Storm Kristin hit us hard, leaving deep scars on homes, businesses, and the daily lives of our families. We know that many of those who have always stood by us—who have contributed, helped, offered, and supported—are now dealing with damaged roofs, stalled businesses, and days without communication. We know that priorities have shifted. We know that the financial strain is heavy.

That is precisely why we had to think differently. We want to keep our festival alive without asking those who have already lost so much to give more than they can. We want to protect this tradition without overburdening anyone.

We are here to ask everyone — yes, everyone: friends, former residents, neighbors, fellow countrymen, people who hold São Simão in their hearts — to help us raise the necessary funds so that, between August 14th and 16th, we can hold the best Village Festival São Simão has ever seen . A festival that celebrates our resilience, our unity, and the strength of this community that never gives up.

Because a strong community is not defined by what it loses, but by how it rises again.

Sofremos diversos danos com o Kristin mas o que nos preocupa mais é a nossa Comunidade

About the author

The São Simão de Litém Festival Committee is made up of four members — Raquel Costa, Francelino Gameiro, Cláudia Costa and Daniel Lopes — all natives of the area and deeply connected to the community. For the second consecutive year, we have voluntarily taken on the responsibility of organizing fundraising initiatives, such as lunches and dinners, as well as all the preparations for the August Festival.

We are not alone: we count on the tireless support of our families and many Simonenses who, year after year, exchange the pleasure of simply enjoying the festival for the greater joy of helping to make it possible. It is this union, made of dedication, memory and belonging, that keeps alive the tradition that gives identity to our village.

Parte da Comissão de Festa e alguns dos voluntários que habitualmente ajudam na festa.

Budget and due dates

Our request for support in this campaign is to cover part of the festival's expenses, starting with the payment of the artists and entertainment. However, the cost of holding the festival is higher. Last year, this was the expense we covered with the support of our community:

• Animation: €5830
  Fees and travel expenses for the groups and musicians who bring the festival nights to life, inflatable structures, and permits.

• Sound and light: €1505
  Technical equipment, setup, and a professional team to ensure quality and safety at the shows.
• Food products for the bar and restaurant: €7437
  Beverages, snacks, and other consumables that ensure the continued operation of the space.
• Items and articles for the fair: €410
  Essential elements for maintaining one of the most cherished traditions of the festival: which "cacaréu" will I take home?
• Licenses and permits: €905
  Mandatory legal costs for holding the event safely and in compliance.
• Printing of communication materials: €478
  Posters, flyers, and other local advertising.

We are therefore also open to donations of goods and items that we can use in our bar, restaurant, fair or even in our raffles. If you wish to do so, you can contact one of the committee members at 966156247.

The goal is to ensure that the São Simão de Litém Festival takes place between August 14th and 16th, with the joy and splendor that characterize our tradition — without burdening the budgets of families who are facing exceptional challenges this year.

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