Reinaldo's (gold) balls, a Summit Cruise, with all the gadgets on board, and even a RoboCosta. It is already known that satire is always present at the Loulé Carnival and this year will be no exception. On February 11th, 12th and 13th, the corsican goes out with the Web Summit as the general theme.
The technology conference that has been taking place in Portugal for two years running is the motto for the revelry that will invade Avenida José da Costa Mealha.
The choice of theme is not innocent. «We always read and analyze what has happened in the last year in Portugal. This year, we decided to satirize what the Web Summit has been,” explained Carlos Carmo, councilor of Loulé, at the Carnival presentation press conference, which took place this Friday.
Anyone who goes to see the corso will also find a Kids Summit, with many emojis to the mix, but also Summit no Batuque, with a scent of Brazil.
In total, there will be 14 floats to be paraded, but the themes are not limited to the technological conference. Reinaldo (Cristiano Ronaldo), with an eye on this year's World Cup in Russia, will also be present, as will the Trumpalhada Wall, with Donald Trump and Obama, and the Algarve's Centeno d'Ouro.
To beautify the floats, which are still being made, between "400 to 500 thousand flowers" are used, said Palho, the main creative of the event, to Sul Informação.
The fact is that, in the Carnival workshop, next to the Loulé Industrial Zone, a group of about 50 people still works so that, on corsican days, nothing fails. For example, Reinaldo's car is in the process of being conceived, with the only glimpses being, for now, his mother Dolores and rival Lionel Messi…
This year, one of the biggest differences in the Loulé Carnival concerns the days of privateering. For some years now, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday were the days of revelry, something that was changed this year, going back to the formula of three days in a row: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
“We had the perception that the people of Loulé would like that. This decision was also aimed at making it possible to enjoy the other privateers in the municipality (Quarteira and Alte)», explained councilor Carlos Carmo.
For example, on Saturday, the 10th, there is a corsican in Quarteira and not in Loulé, which may lead revelers to visit the fishing town's Carnival.
As for the expected turnout for the Loulé Carnival corso, there is no exact forecast. What exists, instead, is an estimate of the total number of people who visit the county during those days: "between 80 and 100 thousand", according to Carlos Carmo.
In terms of event security, everything is also outlined. “We always have security measures in mind. Everything is prepared to deal with any occurrence, even the possibility of terrorism», said the councilor of the Loulé Council.
The total budget for the event is “in line” with that of 2017: around 300 thousand euros.
Another person who couldn't miss Carnival was Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The President of the Republic will arrive as “the firefighter of affections”. The idea is to pay tribute to those who fought the fires that ravaged Portugal in 2017.
As usual, the carnival corso will also recall a figure related to the Loulé event. This time, the honoree will be Mr. Semião, now deceased, but who used to participate in the privateering at the wheel of your wagon.
The shows always start at 15:00. The price of tickets is 2 euros. The revenues collected will revert, in 50% to Private Institutions and Social Solidarity (IPSS) in the municipality, and another 50% to the associations participating in the corso.
In addition to the parade, which takes place over three days, the Loulé Carnival program presents a series of activities that aim to energize the city at this time of year when many tourists choose the municipality for a mini-vacation.
The Gala Ball dedicated to the “Loulé Summit” will bring together revelers on Monday night, the 12th, at NERA's “Palace” in the Industrial Zone, which will become a kind of National Pantheon, recreating the much talked about closing event of Lisbon Web Summit.
The public is invited to dress according to the theme and participate in this party animated by Arte & Música Big Band and Banda Fora D'Horas.
Sport will also be highlighted on these days, with emblematic events in the calendars of the respective sports at this time of year: International Sailing Tournament Loulé Carnival (10, 11 and 12 February, in Vilamoura), Marcha-Corrida de Carnaval (9 de February, departing from Praça da República, from 20:00 pm), Regional Surfing Stage (10th and 11th February, Praia da Falésia, from 8:00 am to 18:00 pm), Grand Prix of Athletics Carnival of Loulé (February 11, 9:30 am) , Avenida José da Costa Mealha) or Vilamoura Atlantic Tour (starts on February 13th).
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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