The secretaries of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, and for Culture, Miguel Honrado, let themselves be infected by the spirit of Smuggling Festival party, which started this afternoon, in Alcoutim, and they even joined the dance, as can be seen in the photos.
The two governors were also among the first to cross the Guadiana, between Alcoutim, on the Portuguese bank, and Sanlúcar, on the Spanish bank, crossing the floating bridge that, during these three days and until Sunday (if the weather helps), will remain on the River. And they didn't ask for help, having participated in the historical recreation, with a ball, which mixed smugglers, tax guards, carabineros, street vendors and artisans.
The crossing will be open for periods of two and a half hours, on Saturday and Sunday morning (closes at 12:30 pm), and in the afternoon, until 17:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and at 18:00 pm on Sunday.
For three days, Alcoutim and Sanlúcar, partners in promoting the festival, celebrate the culture and memories of the Guadiana streak with an enhanced program. The complete program, in pdf format, can be downloaded by following this link.
This year, there are even two national premieres. One of them is that of the artist Chacovachi (whose real name is Fernando Cavarozzi), an Argentine clown and buffoon, who presents the show “Cuidado! A bad clown can ruin your life”.
Also present will be Adam Read, «an artist without borders, who worked on Cirque du Soleil, which brings some of its characters, clowns or mimes on stilts», according to the Alcouteneja municipality. “Mezzanine”, “La Strato”, “Parasomnia” and “TheGiant” are “unique shows”, which the artist will bring to Portugal for the first time.
These and other entertainment shows and events that will be promoted over the three days will be divided between Alcoutim and Sanlúcar de Guadiana. If you are on one side of the border and don't want to miss a show that will take place in the neighboring country, all you need to do is buy a ticket for the bridge and start on the way.
All of this will take place in the midst of a historical recreation, in which smugglers, tax guards, carabineros, street vendors and artisans mingle and interact with visitors.
The Smuggling Festival is organized by the Municipality of Alcoutim, in partnership with the Ayuntamiento Sanlúcar de Guadiana. Support comes from the Government of Portugal, Turismo de Portugal, the Algarve Tourism Region and “365Algarve”, as well as the Junta de Andalucia and the Mancomunidad da Betúria, both from Spain.
Photos: Hugo Rodrigues | Sul Informação
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