The catastrophe recently hit the territory that gives it its name, but in the case of the Serra de São Brás de Alportel fair, the fire gave even more strength and meaning to the event.
From Friday until Sunday, typical products from the Algarve mountains will be highlighted at this event, with the medronho playing the star role. The fair takes place in the grounds of the EB 2,3 Poet Bernardo Passos School.
Here you can find the flavors, knowledge, smells, colors that the mountain offers us. All without forgetting the traditions and experiences of those who occupy this territory. In 2012, due to circumstances, this is also an event dedicated to those affected by the fires that last week destroyed almost half of the territory of São Brás.
It was precisely this aspect that the organizing committee of the Serra de São Brás Fair 2012 focused on, in the presentation of the event, which took place last Monday at the centenary Tonico da Caldeira distillery, on the site of the Treasurer. "We want to use the fair to help those who suffered incalculable damage from the fires," said the vice president of the São Brás Chamber and head of the commission Vítor Guerreiro.
Many producers in the Serra «have this event to sell their products» and not even the fact that, in some cases, they have lost everything, demobilizes them. «Mr João Florêncio, who works in esparto to make handicrafts, lost his house in the fires and was left with nothing. Even so, he told us to count on him, that he still had some esparto in another warehouse and wanted to be present».
In addition, proceeds from the event will revert to a solidarity fund that aims to support families affected by the fire.
In 2012, a product from Serra will be highlighted which, in addition to giving a good yield to its producers, has the ability to make us happy, when used to make the famous Medronho Algarvian brandy. But this is just one of the many uses of the arbutus fruit and shrub.
Despite the fact that the Fair is being prepared «for many months», the strawberry tree can be a symbol of the renaissance that is desired for the mountains. According to researcher and professor at the University of Algarve Ludovina Galego, who has been dedicated to the study of this species and the products it gives us for a long time, "this will probably be the fastest yield you can get" from a forestry crop.
"Medronho clearings are a way to fight forest fires," he said, since this is a tree with great resistance to fire and whose characteristics, namely the fact that they have roots closer to the surface, allow them to be combined with others. crops such as cork oak and carob. Another advantage, according to Ludovina Galego, is that they generate income faster than those species.
At the Serra fair, you will not miss the popular Aguardente de Medronho, but there will be much more. Students from UAlg will present a product they developed, a medronho compote which they called “medronhada” and other uses for this fruit will be disclosed, whose branches are used as ornaments and even “may have applications in the pharmaceutical industry”.
Feira da Serra offers SPA based on local products
One of the novelties of the 2012 edition of the Feira da Serra de Verão will be the SPA Serrano, a place where products and techniques based on the fruits of the mountains will be disseminated. «We want to demonstrate that it is not just by the sea that you can enjoy a good SPA. We want everyone to feel the richness of the mountain under their skin», said councilwoman Marlene Guerreiro.
As the member of the organizing committee also revealed, "the Fair is increasingly born of the community, which often takes the initiative to address us with suggestions." Something that is very evident in some of the planned activities.
In the second edition of São Brás Fashion, a fashion show that involves 19 local stores and 35 young people from the region as models, there will also be an opportunity for two local designers, Ana Eusébio and João Barriga, to show their art. Another highlight is the « Mostra-te time», which follows the event with the same name and which will allow local young people to show their talents on stage.
One of the objectives of the Fair is, moreover, "to promote intergenerational connection", with activities for all ages. This year there will be a special price for families, with four tickets staying for the price of three.
A stage for artists and another for gastronomy
Mountain gastronomy and music are two of the main attraction factors at the Fair and are once again a bet this year. Despite the 20 thousand euros reduction in the budget, due to the crisis, Feira da Serra will have well-sounding names, albeit from different generations.
Amor Electro, one of the national pop bands of the moment, will perform on Sunday, while on Saturday the focus will be much more humorous, with Herman José taking the stage. These concerts will be preceded, respectively, by the performance of Entre Luas and São Brás Fashion.
On Friday, the animation will be released by the band Lucky Duckies and the night closes with "Chave d'Ouro", which is the name of the band that will act, but which coincides with the organization's natural desire for success.
In the Meeting of Flavors, the stars are quite different. The delicacies from Serra do Caldeirão will be present in six restaurants and in a Portuguese tavern. The flavors and aromas of the Serra can also be found in the area dedicated to producers, where you can find true treasures of the Caldeirão. In 2012, buying products from those who live in the mountains can also give precious help in the recovery of the economy in this territory.
Updated at 15:00 pm, adding that the revenues from Feira da Serra will revert to a solidarity fund to support fire victims.
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