This year’s theme is UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage
Lagoa is hosting the 10th edition of the Mercado de Culturas à Luz das Velas (Lagoa Candlelit Market) from July 3 to 6. Set in one of the city’s most historic areas – especially around the Convento de São José and nearby streets – the event will once again bring light, diversity, and intercultural dialogue to the heart of Lagoa.
More than 60 artisans from different cultures will share their traditions, flavours, knowledge, and artistic expressions across four evenings.
In a setting full of visual beauty, cultural variety, and a sense of community, the event is expected to attract around 50,000 visitors.
This year’s programme will highlight gastronomy, with the cloisters of the Convento de São José to be transformed into a space dedicated to couscous and its preparation, offering an authentic culinary experience that symbolises cultural fusion.
The convent’s exhibition room will feature two exhibitions – “Intangible Cultural Heritage: Expressions of Humanity” and “History of Fado” – along with cultural manifestations from various countries, including:
- Portugal: Fado, falconry (falcoaria), Estremoz clay figures (Figurado de Estremoz), and Cante Alentejano
- Morocco: Couscous preparation and Gnawa music
- Spain: Flamenco
- Argentina and Uruguay: Tango
- Guinea: Sosso-Bala balafon
- Iraq: Iraqi Maqam
- Turkey: Mevlevi Sema ceremony
- Armenia: Duduk
- Ecuador and Peru: Zapara culture
- Brazil: Samba de Roda
Each evening begins at 8.30pm with the ritual of lighting thousands of candles, forming 40 symbols that represent different cultural expressions recognised by UNESCO. Entrances and corners of the market will be decorated with these symbols, creating a magical visual trail.
The mayor of Lagoa, Luís Encarnação, highlights the importance of this event for the city’s identity, its sense of community, and its commitment to culture – as well as to “dialogue between peoples” and valuing “humanity’s shared heritage”. This year’s edition is dedicated to “intangible cultural expressions recognised by UNESCO – an invitation to reflect on what brings us together as a global society and an opportunity to promote peace through art, tradition, and cultural exchange”, says the mayor.
Organised by Lagoa city council, the event has become one of the summer highlights in the Algarve, reinforcing Lagoa’s reputation as a cultural reference in the region.
Article originally published on Barlavento.
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