Culture Minister Margarida Balserro Lopes today noted the immense significance of the Campo Maior Folk Festivals, which demonstrate the distinctiveness of the territory and region.
She stated that these festivals hold 'great local, regional, and national importance and have already been recognized by UNESCO at the international level.' Speaking to the Lusa agency on the occasion of this year's official opening of the celebrations, classified by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the minister of culture, youth, and sports expressed her joy at visiting the event for the first time.
'This is my first visit, and it is incredible,' she admitted, asserting that the initiative vividly reflects 'the identity of this territory, this region' and is 'one of the most beautiful festivals in the country.'
The Minister emphasized that this 'folk festival was created by the people' of Campo Maior, recalling Comendador Rui Nabeyru (1931–2023), an entrepreneur, founder of Delta Cafés, and native of this village, which is the center of the Portalegre district.
She noted that Nabeyru was not just a great enthusiast but also an 'exceptional ambassador for this district, this region, and the country,' and therefore remains an inspiring example that continues to guide and inspire, even in his physical absence.
At the press conference, the mayor of Campo Maior, Luís Rosinha, mentioned that the Folk Festivals had started 'fantastically,' and that the number of visitors on the first day 'exceeded expectations.' The mayor also highly praised the contribution of the residents, calling it the 'soul' of the festivals, expressing pride in his community.
The President of the Campo Maior Folk Festivals Association, João Manuel Nabeyru, also shared his satisfaction with the event's progress, emphasizing that 'it is time to celebrate, lift spirits, and welcome strangers.'
It is expected that around 400,000 people will be in Campo Maior from today until the 16th, with over 100 streets decorated with paper flowers. These festivities, organized by the Campo Maior Folk Festivals Association, were last held in 2015 and resumed this year after being opened by the President of the Republic, António José Seguro. The popular will led to the Campo Maior Folk Festivals being recognized by UNESCO in 2021 as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. These traditional festivals are known for many streets in this Alentejo village, especially in the historic center, being decorated with thousands of handmade paper flowers of various colors and shapes.
