Algarve Festivals ...
... don't miss out on the fun! Algarve festivals come in all shapes and sizes. Plus, they happen throughout the year, so there's a good chance you'll be able to catch one whenever and wherever you're vacationing in the region.
They're all about colour, good cheer and joining in - as you'll see later. The last one Nev and I enjoyed, accompanied by friends
Sue and Alan, was a mediaeval-themed 'do' at
Castro Marim, on the Guadiana River that separates Portugal
from Spain. It was entitled "Dias Medievais"
(Mediaeval* Days) and lasted over four days, from 22 to 26
August. The town's central areas were decked out in suitable regalia, with banners, streamers and some shops had added mediaeval fascias - and even strewn wood shavings on the floor for that extra touch of authenticity!
We noted visitors from Spain, UK, USA, Germany, most of whom were involved enough to wear the (less than convincing) coronets that comprised, along with a commemorative goblet, the kit that came with the entrance ticket to the main events within the hilltop castle. In the square and its tributary roads, there were many stalls selling everything from jewellery to fresh-baked bread, and from herbs and dried fruits to Moroccan lanterns. The sweet bread on offer (rather redolent of hot-cross buns, we agreed) was fresh from the log-fired metal ovens alongside the stall.
From 6 pm (1800) onwards, the live music started, with bands of drummers and bagpipers accompanied by dancers and street artists who wove in and out of the friendly crowds.
Some stalls within the castle featured artisans undertaking traditional crafts - woodwork, tin vessels, masonry, coopering and weaving among others.
I later learned that he lives near Moncarapacho, and makes the articles in his garage to stay busy. His best-selling offering is a bucket with a shower head fitted to the bottom, that you fill and hang up so that you can take a douche anywhere that takes your fancy! (Presumably he didn't have any on show at the festa because they weren't that common in the Middle Ages...) Elsewhere, there was a wonderful display of chain mail and armour, along with some (possibly replica) silverware and trinkets. Within the castle, the spectacular views from the walls were alone worth the admission price. After sunset, the Castro Marim fortress, just south of the castle, was illuminated in changing colours to fascinating effect.
The falconer (not the right word as I think his bird was a hawk) was somewhat embarrassed since, when he released the bird to fly up to the battlements, he was unable to persuade it to return on command. The noise and activity within the courtyard was presumably too distracting or made the bird wary. He recovered it eventually, but I think his day was ruined (in spite of his fine outfit). The jousting, for which we had waited patiently on the banked seating provided, did not start on time (unsurprisingly perhaps, as none of the participants should have been wearing a watch or other timepiece) but did not feature horses, although there were a couple stabled nearby. I was under the impression that jousting was done on horseback, but hey, this is Algarve, and it was hot! Instead, we were treated to a series of hand-to-hand bouts between various of the military figures introduced in the explanatory opening speech (only partly heard from our vantage point - and even less understood!) The methods of using the various mediaeval weapons were explained in some detail, with graphic demonstrations of how they would be used on an enemy. There followed the hand-to-hand stuff and the eventual victor (in my view) was the short soldier (female, I think) who showed the most aggressive attitude. Score one to the girls, I say.
By the time it was dark, we were becoming tired and emotional, so we left for the drive home, but there were hordes of people still arriving as we did so, and I'm sure the crowds lasted right up 'til the witching hour. (I confess that I still haven't adapted to entertainments that start typically around 2130 to 2200. It's one thing when you're on vacation, another entirely when you live somewhere permanently. I suppose I'll acclimatise eventually!)
If you're visiting Algarve before the end of the year, do look out for any festivals (don't forget to check my What's On page). They're fun, different and don't break the bank (entrance to the Castle events at Castro Marim cost 5 euros per adult). Algarve festivals are there to be enjoyed, so make sure you don't miss the next one!
Checking out a change of costume...
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Many locals had entered into the spirit of the occasion,
sporting a variety of costumes from peasant simplicity to
gaudy, bejewelled velvet doublets and gowns.
The
one that caught my eye was the elderly gentleman pictured
here, surrounded by numerous tin artefacts. 
The castle interior space (mainly rough courtyard) was
given over to various pastimes, some of which could be
undertaken by visitors (jousting with padded staves and the
like). There were stilt artists, the most amusing of which
stood just inside the entrance, tickling the heads of
unsuspecting arrivals, all of whom saw the joke
(fortunately) once they realised why onlookers were
laughing.
So...
it was diverting and we'd definitely go another 'mediaeval
days' festival - and maybe next time think
about dressing up to suit the occasion. (Nev should be okay,
as most of his clothes are old enough to be reasonably authentic
anyway).