If you have never heard of, or tasted, Portuguese ‘chouriça’ then now is the time to discover what the fuss is all about, as Querença will host another edition of its famous ‘Festa das Chouriças’ on January 18 and 19.
The event is held every year in the small hinterland village, in the Loulé borough, and aims to showcase the delicious smoked sausages that are made locally.
Festivities begin on Saturday (January 18) with a ‘Fado Night’ at Casa do Povo de Querença, starting at 9pm. The list of performers includes singers Melissa Simplício, Luís Manhita and Filipe Nobre who will be accompanied by Valentim Filipe on Portuguese guitar and Tiago Valentim on classical guitar.
The gastronomic side of the event begins the next day at 11am, with the ‘chouriças’ being sold at several eateries in the village.
Also planned is a religious celebration, a traditional ‘chouriça’ auction, a market selling local products and a baile (dance) at Casa do Povo de Querença.
The event is held in honour of São Luís, the town’s patron saint of animals.
Local families used to call on the saint to protect pigs and other livestock so that they would have enough to eat. In a bid to show their appreciation, people would offer their best homemade sausages.
