Monchique returns to be, this year, Serra Natal, despite the pandemic, since «although in a different way, this season should always be marked». Until January 6th, Monchique presents “several reasons to celebrate Christmas”.
One of these reasons will be the presence of Nelson Ramos in Monchique to build the traditional wooden nativity scene.
The sculptor will work trunks, carved with a chainsaw and the work can be
appreciated at Largo dos Chorões, with the nativity scene on display until January 6th.
This initiative has the collaboration of the Monchique Escutas Group, which has been collaborating in the assembly of the crib since the first year.
«This collaboration reflects dedication, creativity and a spirit of mutual help and the Municipality of Monchique recognizes all the effort and commitment of this group», emphasizes the municipality.
The traditional wooden nativity scene is joined by workshops thinking about family activities.
«Time calls for recollection, but it does not prevent you from giving free rein to your imagination and pushing for creativity», highlights the Municipality of Monchique, which has prepared video workshops, which will be broadcast on the Municipality's social networks.
«From the construction of an advent calendar, to the making of homemade gums, the challenges are many and call for family moments». These workshops are held on Saturdays at 14:30 pm.
Also the streets of Monchique «will be dressed in Christmas colors, with the lighting remaining until January 6th, also covering the parishes of Marmelete and Alferce».
The shows for the school community that the Municipality organizes every year, at this time, will be on video.
"Father Christmas will address all the children of the Nursery, Pre-School and 1st Cycle and leave a very special message, referring to each one's name and their personal tastes and achievements", reveals the municipality.
This is “a different way of marking Christmas with the school public, but also special”.
All children will also receive an offer from the Municipality of Monchique.
The Municipality of Monchique is also promoting a “Christmas Campaign for Local Restoration and Commerce”, which aims to support the local economy, attracting customers to local commerce and restaurants, promoting economic activities and existing businesses in the municipality.
The initiative consists in drawing shopping vouchers in the total value of 10 thousand euros, among the population, through purchases made in local shops and restaurants between December 3rd and January 6th.
For every purchase with a minimum value of 10 euros, in local shops and restaurants that join the campaign, the customer is entitled to the draws that will take place every Wednesday in the Paços building in the municipality.
Every week 2 thousand euros are drawn each week in 20 vouchers worth 50 euros (12), 100 euros (2), 150 euros (2), 200 euros (2) or 250 euros (2), which can be discounted in the local shops or restaurants, valid until January 31, 2021.
The draw coupon must be placed in the tombola installed in the Municipality of Monchique, from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 15:00 pm.
For the coupon to be valid, the consumer must deliver it duly completed and identified by the establishment, attaching the receipt of the purchase that gave rise to it.
All indications and conditions of participation are available here. www.cm-monchique.pt.
This year, due to the pandemic, the usual activities of the “Serra Natal” programming were reduced, «and this amount is now distributed to the population through this campaign to support local commerce and restaurants, which also consists of direct support to the population and an incentive consumption at this time of year”, explains the Monchique Council.
In addition to this initiative, the Municipality of Monchique will also distribute to all employees of this municipality a Christmas Basket made up of products purchased from local businesses and shopping vouchers for the children of employees of this municipality, in the amount of 30 euros.
The county's neediest families will also be distributed shopping vouchers in the county's commercial establishments, "so that everyone can live this Christmas in the best possible way."
For Rui André, Mayor of Monchique, «this time we are living in calls for collaboration, asks for solidarity, asks for cooperation and asks for mutual help. The community works as a network and we all depend on each other. By helping businesses and restaurants, we are helping a whole network of personal and professional relationships. The Monchique City Council assumes the starting engine of this campaign here, but it will only work if everyone cooperates. Basically, it will be a network campaign that will only be possible through the participation and collaboration of the entire community. In this way, I launch the invitation and the challenge so that we can make this Christmas a little better for everyone!».
In the parish of Alferce, the traditional Aldeia Presépio returns, which will be on display until 10 January, and is already a reference in this parish. Even so, emphasizes Monchique, this year there are differences, with a “slightly different dimension and register”.
"Given the current situation and, considering the celebration of Christmas more restrained, always bearing in mind the safety of the entire community, as the main premise, avoiding social contact and avoiding encouraging any type of socialization and gathering", the Municipality de Monchique "hopes that everyone can rethink the true meaning of Christmas."
“It's time for family reunion. Meeting among friends. From meetings in a work context. But this year will be an exception and Christmas will be experienced differently by everyone. Therefore, let us take advantage of the way to rethink Christmas and all the experiences associated with it.
Above all, we want to ensure the well-being and safety of the entire community. Christmas will always be a very special time of year, albeit marked this year sparingly. The Municipality of Monchique wishes everyone a happy Christmas and thanks the entire local community for the effort to fight the pandemic», stresses Rui André
“Monchique Serra Natal” is an initiative of the Municipality of Monchique, and this year it is part of the “Revitalize Monchique” project, financed by Turismo de Portugal. All actions were included in this financing and promoted within the scope of this project.
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