In Mértola, hunting is synonymous with economy, tradition and, from today, Friday 22nd until Sunday 24th, celebration. The Hunting Fair is back in this Alentejo town, more precisely in the Expo Mértola Multipurpose Pavilion, this time in a format already very close to “normal”, with the return of shows but, above all, of the gastronomy section, where the they can find tasty and much-requested delicacies, which promise to attract people from Alentejo, but also from the Algarve.
Ao Sul Informação, Mário Tomé, Mayor of Mértola, recalled that, a year ago, the pandemic situation was getting more complicated and it was not possible to hold the event in the traditional way.
Even abdicating some aspects, such as shows and taverns, «we had the courage to give this encouragement to the hunting sector, which is so important to Mértola and suffered a lot from the pandemic, and we kept the event».
"This year, we returned to the traditional format, albeit with some constraints," he added.
The fair will respect all DGS recommendations and will have specific hygiene and safety rules, including the mandatory use of masks, limited entrance control and the existence of disinfectant gel devices throughout the pavilion.
The full program of the event will have the usual high points, which, as Mário Tomé pointed out, are almost all related "with direct hunting actions".
«I have to highlight the riding, but also the Iberian Trophy and the Jump Hunting Championship, as well as some moments of the fair, such as the exhibition of falconry and rabbit hunting with dogs», he said.
"We will have a considerable number of gunsmiths, who can be found right at the entrance to our new multipurpose pavilion, where the fair will take place this year," he added.
As for the taverns, the local authority agreed with them «a set of rules to be followed, issued by the General Directorate of Health».
In other words, people will be able to count on the typical cuisine of Mértola, served safely. “We ask those responsible for the spaces that the offer be as much as possible consisting of game dishes”, highlighted the mayor from Mertolense.
Thus, those who visit the fair can immediately enjoy partridge soup, "a very traditional dish", but also other delicacies based on this and other species, such as the hare, wild rabbit, wild boar and the deer.
In other words, «all the conditions are met» for the event to take place.
A event schedule is released with the International Wild Resources Forum, an initiative of the PROVERE project that will take place today, Friday, between 10:00 am and 16:30 pm.
At 12:30 pm, there is the first of two showcookings in which chef Leopoldo Calhau will teach how to cook with wild resources from the Alentejo. The second session takes place at 19:30 pm today.
The event opens at 15:00 pm, but the official opening of the event takes place at 18:00 pm and will feature a musical moment, guaranteed by Grupo Coral Mina de São Domingos.
This will be followed, at 19 pm, with the performance of accordionists António Manuel and Ernesto Batista, on Stage 00. At 2 pm, Cantadores do Alentejo give a concert on Stage 22.
Today, as will happen tomorrow, Saturday, the stands close at 23 pm and the taverns at midnight.
On the 23rd, at 7:00 am, the 11th Iberian Cup of Santo Humberto de Mértola will take place in the Municipal Hunting Zone of Mértola. At 8:00 am, there will be a wild boar, deer and deer mount, with a concentration scheduled for São João dos Caldeireiros.
The doors of the event open at 11:00 am and, at 13:00 pm, the Maravilhas do Alentejo group performs on Stage 2. At 16 pm, after the Iberian Cup awards ceremony (00:15 pm), there is a demonstration of stopping dogs.
Shortly after, at 17 pm, Stage 00 returns to music, this time guaranteed by the group Os Alentejanos, which will be followed, from 2 pm, by the showcooking “Observatório do Saber do Tradicional”, by CLDS 18G Pertos.
Miguel Moura is the guest artist for the main show, taking place at 22:00 on Stage 1.
On Sunday the 24th, there will be a partridge, pheasant, pigeon and duck release which has a meeting scheduled for 8:00 am, in São Sebastião dos Carros.
At 8:30 am, the 9th starts in the Moinho do Monte/Moinhos de Vento Tourist Hunting Area. “Fernando Pereira” National Jump Hunting Championship, whose prizes will be delivered at 15:30 pm, on the fair grounds.
After the opening of the event, again scheduled for 11:00 am, the group Improvisos do Sul will perform (13:00, Stage 2).
The 5th Honey Contest in the Vale do Guadiana Natural Park will take place at 15:00 and will be followed, at 16:00, by a new demonstration of stopping dogs.
At 17 pm, the Ventos Alentejanos formation will perform on Stage 00. The official closing takes place at 1:19.
Visitors can count on exhibition halls, where they will find hunting items, shotguns, cutlery, packs and traditional products, among others.
Also part of the program are exhibitions of birds of prey and taxidermy.
"We will be happy to welcome anyone who wants to visit this museum village of ours," said Mário Tomé, in a message that also wins the eyes of the Algarve, who are regular visitors to the event.
On the way, and in addition to visiting the event “which celebrates the hunting sector”, anyone who visits Mértola until Sunday can enjoy “the natural heritage and riches that Mértola has as a territory”.
Comments