CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS in Loulé promise to be extra special this year with the oldest and most famous carnival festival in the country celebrating its 100th birthday. Loulé Câmara, organiser of the event, promises a fantastic party in Avenida José da Costa Mealha, with celebrations set to take place on February 26, 27 and 28.
Sport and culture, as well as political and social satire, continue to mark the event and the parade of floats this year is being given the theme “Cem Anos é Muito Tempo” (100 Years is a Long Time). The parade will remember a century in Loulé’s society, with replicas of the more memorable floats from previous years joining new creations representing today’s life and times.
Around 1,000 musicians, dancers and revellers are due to take part in the festival, which will boast the best in carnival music provided by local samba groups, bands and orchestras.
Loulé’s legendary carnival ball, which aims to revive old traditions of Loulé’s society, will take place at NERA, in the city’s industrial park, on the evenings of February 26 and 27. There was a hiatus of seven years, but last year the ball was back with a bang. This year, the event aims to recreate the Arabic atmosphere of the “1001 Nights”, so those attending the ball are invited to dress up reflecting this style.
