Lisboa Festas

It´s June in Lisbon, so the Festas are on. For weeks on end, people are out and about in the old streets of central Lisboa at night, after a hot day, to listen to music, eat sardines and be merry among colourful garlands. We went out with Tony, Rita and Maria last night to do the same. A few colourful, if wobbly, impressions of the oldest quarter of Lisbon, the Alfama: narrow streets, steep declines and ascents, and brimming with life and Fado music coming out of many a restaurant and cafe along the way. Tess, Yarrow and Anjes may remember going (nay, running) down these steps in January...

A little blurb from the World Events Guide:

On various dates throughout June, the city of Lisbon celebrates the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feast Days of the Popular Saints). The whole city is transformed into a carnival of colour with coloured lights, lanterns and decorations adorning many of the streets. The events take place on 12-13 June for Antonio, on 23-24 June for John and 28-29 June for Peter. The events are characterised by parades, live music, parties and feasting. One of the most popular events is the Feast of Antonio with the biggest party of the month taking place on and around Avenida da Liberdade on 12 June.

For those who´d like a bit more historical background, here you will find an interesting article from somebody experiencing the Festas.

A wobbly walk down the Alfama


A typical meal of caracoles (snails), sardinas, sangria and bifina (pork)