By Danutcha Chelliah

MALACCA, MALAYSIA: Thousands of candles illuminated the Portuguese settlement here as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate Festa San Juang on Monday night.

The Festa San Juang (Feast of St John) began with a candlelight procession from the Portuguese Settlement Community Hall.

Children holding candles and clad in green, to symbolise purity and innocence, spread the light throughout the settlement.

The traditional festival, which marks the start of the week-long celebration, was launched with the lighting of the stage candle by state Tourism, Culture and Heritage committee chairman, Datuk Seet Har Cheow.

Student Cherish Stephen, 18, said Festa San Juang was special as it brought friends and family together.

She added that it was also a prelude to the Festa San Pedro (Feast of St Peter) which begins on Friday.

Festa San Pedro is a major annual celebration of the Portuguese fishing community which honours St Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, and can only be experienced here.

The community celebrates the occasion with traditional games, cultural performances, food fairs, blessing of fishing boats and a contest to choose the best decorated boat.