Moorish and Christian characters take part in the Auto de Floripes (or Festa de São Lourenço) as they parade before facing off in a theatrical performance in Santo Antonio, in Príncipe Island in São Tomé and Príncipe, on  August 1, 2026. The Auto de Floripes brings the entire island together for a vibrant, open-air medieval plays depicting legendary battles between the Twelve Peers of France and the Moors.Brought to the islands by the Portuguese during colonial times the festival originated from European medieval tales centred around Emperor Charlemagne and his knights rescuing the princess Floripes from the Moorish Admiral Balão. Over the centuries, the European legend evolved into a unique tradition deeply rooted in São Toméan and Príncipe identity (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP via Getty Images)