Lisbon Festival: The Feast Of St Anthony

Lisbon Festival: The Feast Of St Anthony

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As diversions go, Lisbon can offer one giant distraction for those looking for a few days of pure enjoyment. Due to a phenomenal rebirth over the last two decades, Lisbon has seen much of its ancient splendour reinstated, coupled with an added subtle twist of modern styling. EU funding and a more stable government have served to give this enchanting port, as it name once meant, back its' dignity and is why in 1994 it was named the European City of Culture. Vast development of Lisbon's transportation and hospitality facilities to make it ready for the expo in 1998 have served it well and with its impressive palaces, museums, Art Nouveau architecture and tree-lined promenades it is undoubtedly a must see place to visit.

There is never a better opportunity to really get in touch with the roots of a city though then when it is celebrating and June is festival time for Portugal with the three saints' days of Anthony, John and Peter to commemorate. As the capital, Lisbon is the perfect place to experience these festivities and with the Lisbon weather the mildest, most temperate in Europe, they are certain to unfold in the most conducive of atmospheres. The most important date of the Festos dos Santos Populares, as it is known, is June 13 on the birth date of St Anthony, although the partying starts on the 12th and goes through to the 14th.

During this time the city quite literally goes bananas as the day is declared a holiday for all. Decked out in flags and balloons, Lisbon streets burst to the seams with people partying late into the night entertained with colourful processions, fireworks and traditional dancing. There are opportunities to hear pavement performances of Lisbons dramatic and heart-breaking Fado music and feast on sardines, on offer all along some of the winding Lisbon streets. The sardines are thought to symbolise a moment in history when St Anthony was believed to have drawn all the fish to him during a sermon by the sea as a way to reach out to non believers.

Among the many people and animals St Anthony is patron of, he is credited with being the matchmaker saint and for bringing luck to single women looking for love. In recognition of this, many women choose to get married on this day and are known as the "brides of St Anthony". Its' popularity is such that the city hall hosts weddings for free on the 13th and the brides in all their elaborate fineries are paraded down the Avenue Liberdade in old-fashioned convertible cars for everyone to join in their collective happiness.

Another of the big festival customs is "St Anthony's Bread" and dates back to AD 1263. It relates to an occasion when he was believed to have brought a child back to life who had drowned after the mother had sought him out and promised to give wheat to the poor equal to the weight of her child if it were saved. Today this has evolved into a convention whereby those attending Mass at St Anthony's Basilica give alms in the form of little balls of dough in return for prayers.

About the Author:
Michelle Elkins is a regular contributor to the Lisbon Airport Guide which provides all information about Lisbon Airport, including the best rates on Lisbon Airport Car Hire and help to find the cheapest Flights to Lisbon.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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