Pink Dolphin wins 12th title at the Dolphin Festival and the Ritual of the Mast Removal concludes Sairé 2025
Tradition, faith, and culture marked the five days of celebration in Alter do Chão, with full support from the Government of Pará
With institutional support from the State Government, Sairé 2025 came to an end this Monday (22) in Alter do Chão, a district of Santarém, crowning the Pink Dolphin as the champion of the Dolphin Festival. The traditional popular celebration, which unites religious, cultural, and profane manifestations, was concluded with the Ritual of the Mast Removal, the highlight of the spiritual symbolism of the festival.
The Pink Dolphin was the big winner of the Dolphin Festival, accumulating 473 points awarded by the judges across 16 evaluated criteria. With the theme "Catraia: Enchantment of Crossing", the group honored the catraieiros of Alter do Chão — professionals who make the daily crossing to the Island of Love —, highlighting their importance as symbols of resistance and guardians of local tradition. This was the 12th victory for the Pink Dolphin in the history of the festival.
Emotional, the president of the group, Tiago Vasconcelos, highlighted the strength of the theme. "The catraieiros represent the resistance and strength of the traditions of Alter do Chão. This canoe did not sink. This achievement is the result of a lot of work. I want to thank our artists, the dancers, and the board in general. This victory is for everyone who cheers for the Pink Dolphin. Let's celebrate."
Ritual of the Masts concludes the religious part of the festival
On Monday morning, the Ritual of the Mast Removal marked the conclusion of Sairé 2025 in the realm of spirituality. The ceremony began with blessings and litanies, followed by a procession to the masts, where the climbing and removal of fruits and ornamental drinks took place. The traditional competition between men and women to bring down the mast ended, for the second consecutive year, with the victory of the women.
According to Osmar Vieira, religious judge and coordinator of Sairé, the moment is filled with symbolism. "The ritual marks the end of the journey of the masts, considered the soul of Sairé, as they represent the connection between the community and the divine. The celebration, which mixes elements of Catholicism and indigenous culture, affirms our living history."
Government of Pará ensured safety, structure, and cultural appreciation
With direct investments and technical support, the Government of Pará was present at all stages of Sairé 2025. More than 700 agents from security forces — including Military Police, Civil Police, Fire Department, and traffic inspection agencies — worked to ensure tranquility and hospitality for the local public and tourists.
According to the regional secretary of the Government of Baixo Amazonas, Nélio Aguiar, the outcome was positive. "We saw the strength of our people, we saw our culture being celebrated with respect and breadth. The Government of Pará fulfilled its part: ensured safety, structure, support for artists, and appreciation of tradition. Today, with the Pink Dolphin as champion, we have one more reason to reaffirm that investing in culture is investing in identity and future."
Festival reaffirms Amazonian identity and attracts visitors from all over Brazil
With the theme "Sairé 2025 – Cecuiara of Tradition", this year's edition reaffirmed the commitment to ancestry, the sacred, and the profane. The festival unified indigenous communities, catraieiros, local residents, and tourists around one of the most significant expressions of Amazonian culture.
Businesswoman Sonya Simões, who came from Manaus especially for the event, highlighted the emotion of experiencing the celebration. "It was one of the most exciting cultural experiences of my life. The duel of the dolphins is a grand spectacle, but what touched me the most was the Ritual of the Mast Removal, so full of symbolism and tradition. It is beautiful to see how Alter do Chão manages to keep its identity alive and share it with the world."
Also for the first time in Pará, tourist Neyla Tavares, 38, from Mato Grosso, praised the energy of the event. "The dolphin competition is contagious. The community gets involved in a unique way and joy takes over the Lake. I return to Mato Grosso with the certainty that I experienced a cultural heritage that will be forever marked in my memory."
