The St. George's Day holiday is expected to boost Rio de Janeiro's economy by R$ 50 million.

The São Jorge Parish Church, in the Quintino Bocaiúva neighborhood, gathers one million people throughout the day. Photo: Rafael Catarcione

The Saint George's Day holiday, celebrated on April 23rd and falling on a Thursday this year, is expected to boost the economy of Rio de Janeiro by R$ 47,6 million, according to a survey by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall – through the Municipal Secretariat of Economic Development (SMDE) and Riotur. The date is dedicated to Saint George in Christianity, represented by Ogum in Afro-Brazilian religions, and traditionally drives various events in different parts of the city, attracting tourists.

– Religious devotion is one of the strong points of our culture, and Saint George's Day is one of those dates when people from Rio de Janeiro and the surrounding state come together to celebrate their faith. Therefore, the occasion attracts visitors who want to celebrate the date or take advantage of the long weekend, spending money on transportation, events, accommodation, and in bars and restaurants, thus boosting the economy – analyzes Osmar Lima, Municipal Secretary of Economic Development.

One of the most famous traditions is the dawn celebration at the São Jorge Parish Church in the Quintino Bocaiúva neighborhood, which brings together a million people throughout the day. Although this is the main meeting point, the celebrations extend throughout the capital. Beyond closed venues, various squares and public areas will also celebrate the saint with feijoada (a traditional Brazilian stew), where the streets will be decorated and the public will enjoy the holiday with food, drinks, and live music. The São Jorge holiday is a Carioca (Rio de Janeiro) heritage and a strategic date for the city's event calendar.

– The Saint George's Day holiday is one of the most authentic moments on the Rio de Janeiro calendar, where faith, culture, and celebration go hand in hand. Besides mobilizing millions of people throughout the city, it's a date that has become strategic for Rio de Janeiro, with a diverse program that boosts the economy, generates jobs and income, and reinforces Rio's position as a destination for unique cultural experiences throughout the year – says Bernardo Fellows, president of Riotur.

The complete study, “Potential Economic Impact of Events and Tourism on Saint George's Day,” is available on the Rio Economic Observatory website, at the following link: http://observatorioeconomico.rio.