Vibrant welcome for fans

An out of season Loulé Carnival took place recently, complete with samba dancers, bands and colourfully painted bodies, to greet football fans visiting the city for the Euro 2004 tournament. The two-hour event showcased the region’s most famous carnival, usually held in February, to an appreciative crowd of Russian, Spanish and English fans. Seven floats packed with dancing girls dressed in the colours of the various teams playing in the region, took to the streets and led the procession from the city centre to the giant screen at Monumento Engº Duarte Pacheco.As the fans danced behind the floats, one exclaimed, “This has to be the best country in the world – painted girls, excellent beer, sunshine and football – what more could a man want?”