Our Culture Takes to the Streets in Mexilhoeira Grande

The 12th edition of “Our Culture Takes to the Streets” will take place on 19 September in Mexilhoeira Grande, as part of the European Heritage Days, which this year have the theme “Revive, Resist, Reinvent”.

The initiative invites the community to celebrate, value, and transmit the cultural and natural heritage of the parish, showcasing knowledge, traditions, products, flavours, arts, and crafts that are part of the local identity and are important to preserve and pass on to future generations.

The programme begins at 09:30 in the Espargueira area, near Quinta da Rocha, with a walk through the natural heritage and wildlife of the Ria de Alvor, led by Filipe Bally Jorge, head of the Environment Division of Portimão Council, for a group of users from the Portimão Elderly Support Centre.

From 16:00, the churchyard of Mexilhoeira Grande will become the centre of the celebration, featuring a showcase of agricultural and food products, local cuisine and sweets, traditional arts and crafts, accompanied by musical and artistic entertainment.

Throughout the afternoon, there will be various demonstration and experimentation workshops aimed at different audiences, allowing participants to learn and experience traditional skills, such as weaving, making mats, preparing sweet bread, rammed earth construction, ceramics, clay work, planting, and traditional games.

The programme also includes activities for children organised by the Portimão Educational Farm, in collaboration with the Manuel Teixeira Gomes Municipal Library, including the “Biodiversity Scarecrow” and “Mini-Scarecrows”, promoting creativity, writing, and ecological awareness. The association A Rocha will also be present with an awareness-raising action on the natural heritage and biodiversity of the parish.

Musical highlights include “Olha a Modinha – Songs of the Algarve – Culture Takes to the Streets – Instrumentals” by the Grupo de Cantares Mexilhoeirense at 17:30, a performance by the Rancho Folclórico da Figueira at 19:10, and Brasa Doirada at 21:00.

From 22:00, the traditional corn husking will be preceded by a theatrical moment with the group Gilletes d’Aço, followed by “There’s a Dance in the Churchyard” with the duo Paula and José Vicente.

The initiative is supported by the project “E.S.T.A.R and Living Well in the Parish” and involves associations, entities, producers, artisans, traders, and the entire local community.

“Our Culture Takes to the Streets” is organised by Portimão Council, with production and implementation by the Portimão Museum and the Mexilhoeira Grande Parish Council.