The race dates changed to spring for the first time ever
– March 7, 2023
The Rallye Casinos do Algarve will be held in the spring for the first time ever, between March 30 and April 1. With its headquarters at the Hotel Algarve Casino in Praia da Rocha and assistance car park located at Lagoa’s fair and exhibition park (FATACIL), this year, 60 cars will race on dirt tracks across the municipality of Silves.
Returning to its original format after 28 years, the course will follow part of the old sections of Águas Frias and the world rally track.
The competition starts on Friday, March 30, with the shakedown/qualifying stage in Lagoa and the redesigned Lagos night super special.
On Saturday, in S. Bartolomeu de Messines and S. Marcos da Serra, competitors will take part in 8 special classification tests, with a pitstop in the assistance car park in Lagoa around lunchtime.
The race ends with the city stage in Portimão, with the podium ceremony taking place once again in front of the Hotel Algarve Casino on Praia da Rocha’s main avenue.
The Rallye Casinos do Algarve 2023 is organized by the Clube Automóvel do Algarve, backed by the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation, and is sponsored by Solverde Casinos and Hotels, the municipalities of Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Silves and Medronhito do Caldeirão.
Portimão’s Museum welcomes the third International Painting Symposium between March 6 and 11th
– March 6, 2023
The Museum of Portimão welcomes the third edition of the International Painting Symposium, taking place between March 6 and 11 at the auditorium hall, between 9.30am and 6pm.
This year’s edition invites the exploration of the theme “Freedom and Woman”, welcoming four internationally recognised artists from different cultures and religions to create paintings under topics related to refugees, gender violence and sustainability. Aseel Azizieh, from Jordan, Rasha Deeb, from Syria, Toña Gomez, from Spain, and Kinga Subika, from Poland.
Over the course of this six-day event, “an artistic, abstract, and modern exploration of the given themes will be conducted in an open atelier format”. According to the organisers, “this will allow for conversation between the artists and the public, who are encouraged to participate and make the most of the symposium.”
Monchique City Council reveals its annual events calendar with innovative concepts
– March 3, 2023
The new 2023 Programme focuses on preserving the council’s heritage, supporting local products and offering rural experiences
On May 27 and 28, “Vamos à vila” (Let’s go to town) will be the town’s first event. The initiative is a new concept, which will incorporate the famous Feira dos Enchidos (Sausage Fair), typically held in March.
The municipality has decided to switch up the fair’s format to keep things fresh and give it an updated look and feel. The new format focuses on the unique qualities of local products and on creating a more authentic experience in the rural setting.
Feira dos Enchidos (Sausages Fair) Monchique, Algarve
“Vamos à vila” is also an opportunity for everyone to share their knowledge and the flavours of the hills, with Monchique’s heritage identity being the main highlight.
This ”Exhibition of flavours and knowledge – Traditional sausages and local products” is now the first major event on the annual calendar, followed by the ”Nights at the Mirante” in August, the ”Walking Festival” and the ”Monchique Christmas” in December.
For the city council, these events have ”the premise of highlighting what sets Monchique apart. They provide a varied offer, with local products, knowledge, particularities of the municipality, nature tourism, pedestrian routes and the landscape as the basis of this offer”.
With the municipality’s program there will be an ongoing cultural agenda that goes beyond just the significant dates, promoting other initiatives and providing a range of activities for everyone to enjoy, such as the featuring exhibitions that will take place at the Galeria de Santo António until the end of the year. This shows “the commitment to boost a cultural venue of excellence that was underused”.
The city council has also announced plans to focus on providing cultural opportunities to children and young people, who will be a priority in the new programme.
Michelin-starred restaurant will host an event in honour of its 10th anniversary
– February 16, 2023
The event will take place at Carvoeiro’s Michelin-star restaurant Bon Bon on February 24 and 25 and will see a star-studded line-up of chefs preparing a special food and wine pairing experience. Bon Bon chef José Lopes will be teaming up with four different chefs on each night.
The first night will feature chef Luís Brito from A Ver Tavira (one Michelin star); Gil Fernandes from Fortaleza do Guincho (one star) in Cascais; Diogo Pereira from Cascade Wellness & Lifestyle Resort in Lagos; and Óscar Geadas from G Pousada in Bragança (and a former host of Masterchef Portugal).
The line-up for the second night will consist of João Marreiros from Loki in Portimão; Leonel Pereira from Check-in Faro; Pedro Lemos from his self-titled restaurant (one star) in Porto; and Alípio Branco from Casa Velha in Quinta do Lago.
The menu will be inspired by classic Portuguese cuisine, in line with the spirit of Bon Bon, and will “take advantage of the best national ingredients available at this time of year”.
Bon Bon owner Nuno Diogo says each evening will be limited to 40 guests, who will enjoy a welcome drink, champagne and wine pairing along with their meal. Price is €300 per person.
Located in the Sesmarias area, with views to the Monchique hills, Bon Bon offers visitors a Michelin-level culinary experience that puts Portuguese and Algarvian food in the spotlight.
“Adapting to new circumstances has meant that we have had to change and do things differently. Therefore, we have decided to reinforce our support for local producers and to bring our lost traditions back to the table. We have decided to be courageous, to do things differently and to add a contemporary touch to our traditional gastronomy,” says chef José Lopes on the restaurant’s website.
Enjoy a glass of wine to the sound of a harp and flute
– February 8, 2023
This Friday, February 10, at 7pm enjoy an intimistic concert at the Morgado do Quintão wine estate in Lagoa.
The gentlness of Ravel’s songs, and the different nuances of Britten’s music, among other musical treasures, will be performed by Portuguese musicians Luísa Vaz Pinto (Mezzo-soprano), Rute Gomes (flute) and Inês Cavalheiro (harp).
Programme:
Ballade du coeur qui a tant battu de Louis Sauter
8 Folk songs de Benjamin Britten
The Salley Garden de John Corigliano
Entr’acte de J. Ibert
La lettre du jardinier de Marcel Tournier
5 Melodias gregas de Maurice Ravel
The Gipsy and the Bird de Julius Benedict
The concert is part of the “Ciclo de Canto” (Singing Cycle) cultural programme by the ARTIS XXI organisation which hosts concerts across all of the Algarve region and aims to acquire a portative organ.
Entrance to the event is free, however, a contribution to the ARTIS XXI will be asked in order to attend the event. Seats are also limited.
For more information about the event, visit ARTIS XXI’s Facebook and Instagram or contact +351 965 202 529.
February brings back the annual Arab music festival Al-Mutamid
– February 6, 2023
February marks the return of the Al-Mutamid Music Festival, which will bring traditional Arab music to several towns in the Algarve and further north.
This year’s festival will feature performances by “different groups specialised in the sounds of Al-Andalus, but also the music and dances of the Middle East, Maghreb and Eastern Mediterranean”.
The performances will be held in Lagoa and Silves which were once part of the territory “formerly known as Al-Andalus during the time of Al-Mutamid”.
Carlos do Carmo auditorium
Lagoa will host a performance by the Sufi Soul Ensemble – which comprises performers from Tunisia, Morocco and Syria – at the Carlos do Carmo auditorium on February 25. Tickets can be purchased here (www.bol.pt) or at Fnac, Worten, Ctt, El Corte Inglés.
Mascarenhas Gregório Theatre in Silves
Monia Abdelali from Tunisia will perform at the Mascarenhas Gregório Theatre in Silves on March 11. Tickets can be purchased here (www.bol.pt) or at Fnac, Worten, Ctt, El Corte Inglés.
The event is described as a tribute to King Al-Mutamid, the son and successor to the King of Seville, Al Mutadid. Born as Muhammad Ibn Abbad in Beja in 1040, Al-Mutamid was named governor of Silves when he was just 12 years old, having ascended in 1069 to the throne of Seville, “the strongest kingdom among those that were created in Al-Andalus after the fall of the Cordoba caliphate”. In 1088, he was dethroned by the Almoravids and fled to Agmat, south of Marrakech, where he would die in 1095. His grave, which remains preserved until today, has become a “symbol of the most beautiful times of Al-Andalus,” organisers Ibérica Eventos say.
“Orange Flavoured Weekend” returns to Silves in recognition of the region’s reigning fruit
– January 19, 2023
The city of Silves is hosting the seventh edition of the “Fim de Semana com Sabor a Laranja” (Orange Flavoured Weekend), between February 10 and 12.
The three days will be entirely dedicated to gastronomy made using the queen of the orchard, highlighting the unique quality of oranges and other citrus fruits produced in the municipality of Silves, recognised for their sweetness, extra juiciness and exceptionally delicate aromas.
With the Orange Flavoured Weekend, the Municipality of Silves aims to attract visitors and encourage the consumption of this juicy fruit.
The region’s reigning fruit will also be highlighted on . In order to participate, restaurants in Silves must present a dish made with orange on the days the event takes place. They will also have to include at least one drink produced in the municipality (wine or beer made in the Silves Municipality) on their menu and a dessert made with the citrus fruit.
To confirm their participation, restaurants must fill in the registration form and send it to capitaldalaranja@cm-silves.pt. Both the registration form and participation rules can be downloaded here.
Algarve street artist Huariu (Stephen Jones) is currently in the running to win an international award for a mural he painted in Cambre, Spain in July 2022
– January 19, 2023
The impressive mural, which depicts a child with a butterfly on her shoulder, is nominated for the ‘Best of 2022’ award organised by online platform Street Art Cities.
The award aims to single out the best out of 100 graffiti nominated around the world.
“This piece serves as a reminder, a throwback to our childhood. The inocence, the eyes full of wonder, knowing nothing, having nothing, but feeling so whole, so connected with life. Those golden moments of wonder, joy, no tension, no worry, no anxiety, have to be regained, have to be rediscovered. The child looking at a butterfly on her shoulder may seem like a simple everyday scene, however, it hides one of the great reflections of our society, the lack of human presence. How much importance do we give to each moment? On what basis do we give it?”
‘Enraizado No Presente‘ (Rooted in the Present) speaks to us about the great importance of paying attention, with all our being, to the little magical moments that happen around us, all of them.
“It always fills us with pride to see the work of the people of Lagoa be recognised around the world, in many areas and in different ways, and this time is no exception,” said Lagoa Mayor Luís Encarnação. “Congratulations to Stephen, who is a great artist, and I am hoping for him to win with the help of everyone.”
Readers may recall Huariu as the artist who went viral after unveiling two giant paintings of F1 legends on a football pitch in Mexilhoeira Grande to celebrate the two F1 Grand Prix that were held in the Algarve in 2020 and 2021.
The event will bring together over 150 national and international artists from painters and digital artists to mixed-media creatives, photographers and more
– January 17, 2023
Storks nesting at Odiáxere, by Malcolm Hyde
The first Art Expo Algarve, an art exhibition which will bring together over 150 national and international artists together under the same roof, will be held for the first time between February 10 and 12 at the Portimão Arena.
The event is organised by a group of gallery ownersand curators to address the lack of a large-scale art exhibition in the south of Portugal.
As organiser John Ganhão told the Resident, Art Expo Algarve will feature established and emerging artists, galleries and artist collectives, who will be exhibiting and selling high-quality artworks directly to the public. The idea to organise the event was inspired by John Ganhão’s travels around the world with his wife and artist, Viktoria Ganhão.
Blue Abstraction III, by Viktoria Ganhão
“We’ve been travelling around the world for 15 years, exhibiting at fairs and exhibitions abroad. I fell in love, not only with her art, but the works of many other artists around the world. But we noticed that there was also potential to organise our own event in the Algarve,” he said.
“We will be having artists from all over the world taking part. The event attracted a lot of interest, as there is no event like this one in the Algarve,” John told us.
The list of artists spans a wide range of areas, such as painters, digital artists, mixed media artists, photographers,sculptors and ceramic and glass artists.
Indeed, one of the goals of the event is to give art lovers in the Algarve, as well as the region’s visitors, a chance to enjoy spectacular artworks made by a wide range of artists.
Sam, by Eleonora Islamova
“There are many artists and some galleries (in the Algarve), but there wasn’t an event that brought them all together for a few days in one space,” said Ganhão.
This is precisely why organisers made sure to secure a large enough venue to accommodate such a large number of artists.
“We have a partnership with Portimão Council, which allowed us to use the Portimão Arena. These kinds of events take up a lot of space and there aren’t many spaces with the conditions to host these events,” he said.
Portimão Arena also boasts plenty of parking and is located near the northern entrance of the town, making it easily accessible for people travelling from outside of the town.
The first edition of the event was due to be held in 2022 but was delayed until this year due to the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, which halted the travel plans of many of the participating artists at the time.
Art Expo Algarve will be free to visit and opening hours will be between 11am and 9pm on Friday and Saturday and 11am and 8pm on Sunday. The fair is wheelchair-friendly.
More information on the event, such as the full list of participating artists, can be found online at www.artexpoalgarve.com
