Loulé‘s Carnival festivities attracted over 50,000 people to the town even though Sunday’s parade was cancelled due to the rainy weather.
With some “help from Saint Peter”, as Loulé Council put it, the weather improved enough to allow the Monday and Tuesday parades to go ahead on Avenida José da Costa Mealha.
“Over these two days, we were surprised by a real ‘flood of people’,” said Loulé Mayor, Vítor Aleixo, adding that local businesses were overjoyed after the disappointment of Sunday’s parade cancellation.
“We believe that, despite everything, it was the right decision because commerce thrived for two full days,” said Aleixo.
The parades saw 14 floats and 600 performers make their way down the town’s main avenue, with all manners of current affairs being satirised in the true Carnival spirit, such as “the directives of ECB President Christine Lagarde for interest rate hikes, the proposal of the Finance Minister for an increase in the Vehicle Tax for vehicles registered before 2007, or the ‘Pretoriano’ legal case, which is putting Fernando Madureira “Macaco”, the head of the ‘Super Dragões’ group of FC Porto supporters, who is facing trouble with the law.”
Even the centenary celebrations of local club Louletano Desportos Clube was highlighted in the parade, with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo being announced as the “February signing” for LDC.
“The attractiveness of this parade lies in the fact that it brings together people from Brazil, which is beautiful because it’s the country of Carnival, but then we also have our tradition, with another rhythm. It’s this mixture, the combination of people, that makes this Carnival unique and charming,” said Aleixo.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
