Nova Iguaçu celebrates June festivals with senior dance and traditional recipes

More than 300 seniors gathered on July 15 at the Espaço Municipal da Terceira Idade (Esmuti) in Nova Iguaçu for the traditional Arraiá do Esmuti. Organized by the municipal social assistance department, the event featured a quadrilha, a staged June wedding, live music, typical food and opportunities for social interaction. Director Viviane Pereira highlighted the festival as a key moment for the elderly, while participant Nilza Cardoso Soares, a 72‑year‑old who is undergoing cancer treatment, credited the community support for helping her cope.

In a separate celebration of the festas julinas, the radio program Essência na Cozinha on RBV Rádios aired a special episode teaching two classic June‑season dishes. Hosts Ernesto Júnior and Nelson Zani demonstrated how to prepare a pastel de paçoca de pinhão and a bolo de milho com goiabada, linking culinary tradition to the regional festivities.