The village of Figueira in Portimão is once again getting ready to celebrate one of its best-loved modern traditions – the Festival do Berbigão (Cockle Festival). The event, now in its 21st edition, will take place at the Figueira multisport complex on Saturday and Sunday (September 13-14).
At the heart of the festival is, of course, the humble cockle. Visitors will be able to tuck into a wide range of dishes prepared on site, from cockle pasta or rice to the beloved ‘papas de berbigão’ (cockle porridge), cockle rissoles (breaded and fried pastry filled with cockles) or cockles served on their own, steamed or boiled. Regional sweets and pastries will also be on offer, along with plenty of other food and drinks to keep everyone satisfied.
Organised for over two decades by the local group Sociedade Recreativa Figueirense, the festival is a tribute to a mollusc with deep roots in local life and culture, as cockles are not only a staple food in the diet of locals, but they were also the livelihood of many families for centuries.
The event will also feature live music courtesy of accordionist Humberto Silva and duo Tiago Neto and Paulo Fragoso on Saturday, followed by Emanuel and Tânia and Iran Costa on Sunday.
Admission is free.
