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Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Much-loved Brazilian festival coming to Wexford this weekend
Festa Junina, also known as the June Festival, is one of Brazil's most beloved and colourful celebrations. Rooted in Portuguese and Catholic traditions, it was brought to Brazil during colonisation and originally celebrated in honour of saints such as Saint Anthony (June 13), Saint John the Baptist (June 24), and Saint Peter (June 29). Historically, the festival marked the end of the rainy season and celebrated the harvest, especially in rural communities, but today it still remains a vibrant cultural event, predominately in the Northeast where it is an essential part of local identity. There are many activities involved in the celebrations including lively music, traditional food, with plenty of decorations including paper lanterns, straw hats, and checkered clothes to represent the rural communities. A key highlight is the quadrilha, a traditional group folk dance that humorously re-enacts a countryside wedding and is always a crowd favourite performance. Typical foods included in the celebrations corn-based dishes such as pamonha, canjica, curau, milho cozido (boiled corn), along with sweets like pé-de-moleque (peanut brittle), bolo de fubá (cornmeal cake), and warm drinks like quentao (ginger and spice mulled beverage). A representative on behalf of the Enniscorthy Brazilian Community group explained how they have had great joy in successfully celebrating the festival in Enniscorthy over the years. "Here in Enniscorthy, this celebration has become a meaningful way to bring together the local Brazilian community. Brazilians living in and around Enniscorthy are excited to participate and contribute in any way they can.' "Everyone is incredibly excited to share a bit of our culture and joy with all residents of Enniscorthy. It will be a day of unity, music, dance, and authentic Brazilian spirit - and we warmly invite the entire community to join us in the celebrations!' they added. The upcoming festival is taking place this weekend on Saturday, June 28 in Bellefield GAA complex from 2 p.m. Entry for adults, which includes food, is €10, 10-16 year olds are €5, and children under ten can enter for free.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Mass shooting in gang-plagued Mexican state leaves 12 dead and more injured
Votive candles are placed near the bullet-riddled house where gunmen opened fire on Tuesday during a party celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist, leaving several casualties, in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Moreno Residents stand near blood stains outside a house after gunmen opened fire on Tuesday during a party celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist, leaving several casualties, in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Moreno Residents wash blood stains outside a house after gunmen opened fire on Tuesday during a party celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist, leaving several casualties, in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Moreno Residents wash blood stains outside a house after gunmen opened fire on Tuesday during a party celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist, leaving several casualties, in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Moreno Votive candles are placed near the bullet-riddled house where gunmen opened fire on Tuesday during a party celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist, leaving several casualties, in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Moreno MEXICO CITY - At least 12 people were killed, including a teenager, and more wounded in a Tuesday night shooting in the central Mexican city of Irapuato, authorities said on Wednesday. The attorney general's office in Guanajuato, the violence-plagued state where Irapuato is located, said some 20 others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said earlier on Wednesday that the victims included children, although the attorney general's office later confirmed only one casualty was a minor, aged 17. "It is very unfortunate what happened. An investigation is under way," Sheinbaum said. Local media reported the shooting happened during an evening party celebrating a Catholic holiday, the Nativity of John the Baptist. A video circulating on social media showed people dancing in the patio of a housing complex while a band played in the background, before gunfire erupted. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the video. Guanajuato has been for many years one of the most violent regions in the country. On Tuesday, five other people were killed in other parts of the state, according to the attorney general's office. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
6 days ago
- The Star
Mass shooting in gang-plagued Mexican state leaves 12 dead and more injured
Votive candles are placed near the bullet-riddled house where gunmen opened fire on Tuesday during a party celebrating the Nativity of John the Baptist, leaving several casualties, in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Juan Moreno MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -At least 12 people were killed, including a teenager, and more wounded in a Tuesday night shooting in the central Mexican city of Irapuato, authorities said on Wednesday. The attorney general's office in Guanajuato, the violence-plagued state where Irapuato is located, said some 20 others were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said earlier on Wednesday that the victims included children, although the attorney general's office later confirmed only one casualty was a minor, aged 17. "It is very unfortunate what happened. An investigation is under way," Sheinbaum said. Local media reported the shooting happened during an evening party celebrating a Catholic holiday, the Nativity of John the Baptist. A video circulating on social media showed people dancing in the patio of a housing complex while a band played in the background, before gunfire erupted. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the video. Guanajuato has been for many years one of the most violent regions in the country. On Tuesday, five other people were killed in other parts of the state, according to the attorney general's office. (Reporting by Raul Cortes, Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Lizbeth Diaz; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Sandra Maler)
MTV Lebanon
7 days ago
- MTV Lebanon
26 Jun 2025 10:12 AM Watch: Celebration Turns into Tragedy
Twelve people were killed and 20 others injured overnight in the Mexican state of Guanajuato when gunmen opened fire on a festive gathering in the city of Irapuato, according to authorities. Attendees were dancing in the streets in celebration of the Feast of St. John the Baptist when the shooting began. Videos circulated online showed revelers screaming and running for cover amid a hail of gunfire. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her regret over the attack, noting that authorities have launched an investigation.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gunmen kill 11 at religious festival in Mexico's Guanajuato state
A gun attack during a religious celebration in central Mexico has left 11 people dead and at least 20 others injured in violence-plagued Guanajuato state, local officials have confirmed. The shooting erupted Tuesday night in the city of Irapuato, authorities said on Wednesday, during festivities marking the Nativity of John the Baptist. Witnesses described terrible scenes of panic and chaos as partygoers fled the gunfire. 'It was chaos. People put the wounded into their cars and rushed to hospital to try to save them,' one witness told the news agency AFP, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns. Footage shared online shows the moment gunfire rang out as people danced and celebrated. Screams can be heard as the crowd scattered in panic. Bloodstains and bullet holes were still visible at the scene on Wednesday morning. Among the dead were a 17-year-old, eight men, and two women, according to the Guanajuato state prosecutor's office. In a statement, Irapuato's local government called the attack a 'cowardly act' and said security forces are hunting those responsible. Psychological support is being offered to affected families. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack as 'deplorable' and said an investigation had been launched. At her daily news conference, Sheinbaum referred to the shooting as a 'confrontation', without elaborating on details. Guanajuato Governor Libia Dennise also denounced the attack, offering condolences to the victims' families and pledging justice. While Guanajuato is known for its industrial growth and colonial-era tourism hubs, it has notoriously become renowned as Mexico's most violent state in recent years. Authorities blame much of the bloodshed on an ongoing turf war between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel. Government figures show Guanajuato recorded more than 3,000 homicides last year — the highest in the country. Since Mexico launched its so-called war on drugs in 2006, more than 480,000 people have been killed in criminal violence, with more than 120,000 listed as missing.
