THE LARGEST international food, wine and beverage fair on the Iberian Peninsular opened at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) on Sunday. The yearly, colourful, gastronomic event, ‘Alimentaria Lisboa’, organised by Reed Exhibitions in conjunction with FIL, counted on the best foods and wines Portugal and more than 40 other countries have to offer. Particularly striking were the stands from Australia, China, Greece, Ecuador, Turkey, Pakistan, Argentina and Chile.
On hand to grace the Greek pavilion was gorgeous Greek beauty, Helena Paparizou, who, along with her country’s hit song My Number One, is set to win the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev, Ukraine, next month.
This year, 42 per cent of the exhibitors were from Portugal, with strong representations from the Alentejo’s wines, bread and cured smoked sausages. The Portuguese stands, representing 600 exhibitors, were spread over three pavilions taking up 1,400sqm.
There was certainly plenty to see at the three-day fair, which covered 23,000sqm and was expected to be visited by over 30,000 people.
This year’s fair brought a number of delegations from new members of the European Union including several from the former Eastern Bloc. There was also some unsual entertainment at the Red Bull stand, which included a DJ and breakdancing.
Pictures by Chris Graeme
