Festas de Santo António

June in Lisbon is a synonym of celebrations and happiness, with balconies full of flowers. Coloured flags cross the streets from side to side. The smell of grilled sardines impregnates everything, and the music coming from any window acts as a reminder that Lisbon gets dressed up in June to celebrate its main festivity: Santo António.

Starting with a large popular parade with marching bands and joyful songs, the streets in the city centre fill with people. The “arraiais” –open-air dances in patios that are decorated with Chinese lanterns and bunting, where baked sardines are served to the sound of the music- share the city with more than a dozen stages that fill it with music, theatre, workshops and exhibitions over three weeks. Finally, on the 30th, a spectacular fireworks display is held over the Tajo river to mark the end of the festivities. The city, and especially the Alfama neighbourhood, is a real Portuguese-style party.

 

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Interesting facts

Every year, several brides and grooms are given the privilege of getting married at a mass wedding held at Lisbon Cathedral under the protection of Santo António, who is also the patron of love and marriage. This tradition began in the 50s as an opportunity to get married for anyone who could not afford a wedding.

Furthermore, it is traditional in Portugal for single youngsters to hang an upside-down image of Santo António in their windows to help them find their soul mate and become one of the brides or grooms to get married in the unique setting of Lisbon Cathedral.

   

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If you’re planning to spend your holidays in Lisbon, June is your month and, of course, Gat Rossio is your hotel 🙂

 

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En Lisboa junio es sinónimo de fiesta y alegría, los balcones se llenan de flores. Los banderines de colores atraviesan las calles de lado a lado. El olor a sardinas a la brasa lo impregna todo, y la música que sale desde cualquier ventana nos recuerda que durante el mes de junio, Lisboa se pone bonita para celebrar su fiesta grande: San Antonio.

 

Comenzando con un gran desfile popular animado por bandas marchantes y cantos de júbilo, las calles del centro de la ciudad se llenan de gente. Los «arraiais» –verbenas en patios que se decoran con farolillos y guirnaldas para servir sardinas asadas al son de la música– comparten la ciudad con más de una decena de escenarios que la llenan de música, teatro, talleres y exposiciones a lo largo de tres semanas donde finalmente, el día 30, se celebra  un espectáculo pirotécnico sobre el Tajo que ponen fin a la celebración, la ciudad, y sobre todo el barrio de Alfama, es una auténtica verbena a la portuguesa.

 

Curiosidades

Todos los años, unas cuantas parejas de novios tienen el privilegio de casarse en una boda masiva celebrada en la Catedral de Lisboa, al amparo de San Antonio, que también ejerce como garante del amor y del matrimonio. Esta tradición comenzó en los años 50, como una oportunidad de contraer matrimonio para aquellas parejas que no podían costearse una boda.

Por otro lado, es tradición en Portugal que los jóvenes solteros cuelguen en sus ventanas una imagen de San Antonio bocabajo, para ver si así les busca una media naranja con la que convertirse en uno de esos novios o novias que pueden casarse en un escenario único como la Sé de Lisboa.

 

Si planeas venir de vacaciones a Lisboa, junio es tu mes y, obviamente, Gat Rossio tu hotel 🙂

“Sketches of London”- by Joao Martins Pereira

João Martins Pereira is an outdoor photographer based in Lisbon.

His main subjects include people, travel and wildlife photography.

A passionate traveler, he has visited more than 70 countries capturing geographic, human and cultural diversity.

http://www.joaomartinspereira.com/

 

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“Fé nos orixás” by Ed Ribeiro

Ed Ribeiro gives us a great contribution to understand in depth the whole of religion connection. It is art, with the sensitivity of our people. And this appreciation of Afro-Brazilian culture, which is the work of this artist. Innovative technique, PAINT SPILL, creating forms movements without using brushes, spatulas, or other instruments, with an energy of a great work.

November 01 to December 30.

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“Technicolor”- by Joâo Martins Pereira

João Martins Pereira is an outdoor photographer based in Lisbon. His main subjects include people, travel and wildlife photography. A passionate traveler, he has visited more than 70 countries capturing geographic, human and cultural diversity.

www.joaomartinspereira.com

 

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“Shilin night market- Discovery a street food paradise in Taipei” by Joao Carlos

Born in New York to Portuguese parents, João Carlos is an Advertising, Fashion and Fine Art photographer.

His artistic explorations began with painting and fine arts which led him to study at Ar.co Institute of Art and Visual Communication in Lisbon, Portugal.

In 2010 he won the Hasselblad Masters Award, a prestigious recognition in the industry, honoring the best in photography.

He is regularly published in numerous magazines and media outlets. He has numerous exhibitions all over the world, and is constantly invited to speak at events globally.

Joao Carlos’ exhibition will be shown at Hotel Gat Rossio from the 15th September until the 28th October 2016.

www.joaocarlosphoto.com

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“Bahia Brasil Quotidiano” Sinisia Coni & Armando Cr

Sinisia Coni and Amando CR are a Brazilian couple, newcomers to Lisbon who share a common passion for everyday photography.They capture the moment, the emotion, the spirit … a movement in every moment that is captured in an image.

Their images transport the observer to place where they feel present; they transmit emotions and manage to steal a smile from whoever is watching. Their pieces will be exhibited at Hotel Gat Rossio from the 25th of February until the 13th of April 2016.

www.armandocr.com.br

www.sinisiaconi.com

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