Barbara Thomas, a Swiss painter who has lived in Monchique for several years, will be exhibiting her works of art at the Porca Preta Gallery, in Monchique, this April.
Her love for Portugal is reflected in her various works. Nature, Fantasy and the people of the Alentejo are the source of her inspiration and title of some of her paintings.
The inauguration will take place this April 2, at 3pm, and the exhibition will be open between April 3 and May 14, from Friday to Tuesday between 5pm and 8pm.
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.
