Porto Santo, claimed 600 years ago by Portuguese navigators, has undergone various cultural influences, resulting from the origin of its people, who had to adapt to a territory that challenged their courage and resilience.

The existing material and intangible heritage shows a whole history that is important to value and revitalize, in some cases, in order to guarantee its perpetuation through time. Here is a culture that marks the identity of people who still follow traditions but because of globalization, tend to gravitate towards new practices, and so it is fundamental to recover that history and those traditions. The diffusion of local values not only constitutes an important contribution for the reinforcement of the local identity, but it is also important for Porto Santo to assert itself as a unique, quality destination as a Biosphere Reserve.

In this land, much significance is given to the preservation of customs and the multicultural traits which define them. Traditional festivities such as the Feasts of St. John, the Pilgrimages and the Columbus Festival are testimonies of this authenticity and diversity of cultural events.

With the creation of the Biosphere Reserve, these festivities, which already attract a large number of residents, have the potential to involve the participation of visitors and promote more traditional folklore, a symbol of the traditional culture of Porto Santo with the charm of its songs and dances, as well as the local cuisine with its unique delicacies which deserve to be tasted and shared far and wide.