The parishes of Moncarapacho and Fuzeta, in the municipality of Olhão, and their counterpart in São Salvador, in Ílhavo, will make the twinning between Fuzeta and Ílhavo official, which will make it possible to unite «two fishing villages with many affinities, for several centuries».
The ceremony will take place in Ílhavo, on 18 May, and will feature the participation of former cod fishers and their families, residents of Fuzeta, «who will have the opportunity to socialize with former comrades from that locality and visit the Maritime Museum, which it keeps many memories of those times of the so-called “major task””, according to the Union of Parishes of Moncarapacho and Fuzeta.
“The most significant link between the two locations is cod fishing in the Newfoundland and Greenland seas. In almost all the streets and houses of Fuzeta and Ílhavo there are memories of those times and the crew of many cod ships consisted mainly of fishermen from both locations, who over time established a strong bond of friendship and camaraderie, consolidated in the hard task of angling on the dories and then at night on board the ship, in the preparation and conservation work of the fish. This way, bonds of friendship were created, which later also extended to their family members», describes the municipality.
The physical environment in which the two locations are located is similar, bearing in mind that both are located close to lagoon areas, with their creeks and marshes. Fuzeta rises next to the Ria Formosa, with access to the sea through the bar, and Ílhavo is located in the Ria de Aveiro, with access to the sea through the channel.
The salt pans, the production of salt and its preparation for sale are another point in common between the two locations, «the existence and work of the shellfish gatherers and nurserymen, who have their livelihoods in the rias, are also similar».
«These affinities and connections are a strong reason for this twinning, which will allow in the future an exchange of activities in the social, cultural and sports fields, among others», concludes the União de Freguesias de Moncarapacho and Fuzeta.
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