Conference 2010




















						Organized by the Portuguese Community of California and sponsored by the Direcção Regional das Comunidades, Azores, the IV International Conference on the Holy Spirit will be held from June 24-27 in San José and Santa Clara, California. After being held twice in Brazil, this International Conference was held in Terceira, Azores, two years ago. Since its inception, this Conference is intended to be: 1. A forum where experts and interested people have the opportunity to share their knowledge on the subject; 2. A platform for the representatives of the Holy Ghost societies to share the history and evolution of the present day celebrations in honor of the Holy Spirit; 3. A showcase for the visiting participants to witness and experience the events of a Holy Ghost festa. This International Conference will be an exceptional opportunity to showcase these with our brethren from across the US (California, Hawaii, Nevada, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Idaho), Canada, Brazil, Bermuda, Azores and other areas where these festas, now in its many variations, still take place. This four-day conference will provide participants with a unique blend of academic reflection and practical experience, including the preparation for and the incorporation in the many events of an actual and typical California Holy Ghost festa, the I.E.S. (Irmandade do Espírito Santo) of San José celebration. This four-day event is being planned to be one of the largest gathering of Holy Ghost societies. The Conference presenters will be divided by panels, according to the geographical areas they represent. The program will also include a photographic exhibit, children drawing exhibit, painting exhibit by Portuguese-Californian artists, book presentations, performances by foliões, cavaleiros and cantigas ao desafio. In addition, the Committee is also preparing an unprecedented exhibit of historical Holy Ghost society crowns and queen capes. Individuals and organization representatives are invited to participate in this unique event by submitting a written presentation or by attending the sessions. Anyone interested in participating will have to register as per the Guidelines and by specific deadlines clearly explained in our web page: www.ConferenceHS2010.com or by contacting the Conference Coordinators: goulartt@comcast.net (Tony Goulart) or jdocouto@yahoo.com (José do Couto Rodrigues). You may still contact the Organization by writting to: IV Conferência Internacional sobre o Espírito Santo P. O. Box 32517 - San José, Calif. 95152, USA