Dear Editor
I have lived in the Algarve for 25 years and love it, but even after all that time I cannot understand why a potentially great social event like a concert or show has such poor publicity until the day before, or even the day it is about to happen, before I am made aware of it.
I attended, after short notice, a very pleasant (but poorly attended) promenade concert in Lagoa on a Sunday a couple of months ago after finding out about it by accident from a friend. When I mentioned it to several friends, they told me they knew nothing about it and would love to go, but other plans meant they were unable to attend. Only this week I was made aware, via a friend’s post on Facebook, that that day, Sunday again, there was to be a celebration in the 5th of October Square in Lagoa for the festival of São João. Live Portuguese music with dancing and traditional food. How much would many tourists have liked to know of such an event instead of the potted version of Portuguese traditional dancing and music served up in hotels.
I read the press in both Portuguese and English, watch out for billboards and listen to local radio stations, but still can be totally unaware of an event until the day it is about to happen. By then it is often too late to change other arrangements to attend.
I think most normal northern Europeans make their social arrangements at least a week ahead, especially if it is an event which would be more enjoyable when accompanied by friends.
Then to add insult to injury, how many times does a billboard appear advertising an event at short notice, and then continues to be on display for months, adding to my disappointment that I missed it.
Name and address withheld
