🇵🇹Summer has arrived and once again the Algarve is full of free events for the whole family. This weekend it was our turn to visit the Mercado de Culturas à Luz de Velas Lagoa is once again the epicenter of the Mercado de Culturas à Luz das Velas, with the 8th Edition, where the cultural theme will be “Cultures and Rituals of Ibero-America”. The Convent of São José and the surrounding streets will receive, over 4 nights, more than 50 thousand visitors, 60 artisans, from various cultures and religions around the world, who will live in harmony and show thousands of visitors their traditions, flavors and arts. This cultural event with unique characteristics aims to encompass the cultural and sound diversity of Ibero-American culture around the world. Traditional roots music will be highlighted in the different scenarios of the event, with the presence of the groups Son de Cuba (Cuba), Mariachi Mezcal (Mexico), Lídia Brandão, Grupo Muzenza, Batucada Som Brasil (Brazil), Viento Nuevo (Ecuador), La Porteña Tango (Argentina) and the musician José Luís Pastor who will interpret the melodies of the Iberian Peninsula, at the time of the Discovery of America. As in previous editions, there will be different contemplative spaces that aim to delight visitors. Furthermore, the entire event will have seven areas with more than 40 symbols designed with candles that aim to showcase the religions, traditions, gastronomy and mythology of Ibero-American culture, positioned at the entrances and in the meanders of the market, constituting a spectacle of enormous visual beauty. The exhibition room at the Convento de São José will host a photography exhibition called “(En)cantos do Brasil”. In this same room, an “Altar de Muertos” will be on display representing Mexico’s “Dia de Muertos”, dedicated to Frida Khalo. As is customary in this cultural event, gastronomy plays a preponderant role. In this sense, the cloisters of the Convent of São José will be converted into a Rio bar with Brazilian cuisine. Outside this bar there will be picanha on the fire, and other gastronomic specialties. The market area opens its doors at 7pm, closes at 0:30am and the candles that make up the symbols, which attract thousands of visitors to the market, are lit at 8:30pm. Entry is free and more than 50,000 visitors are expected over the four days. The available parking lots are located next to the Carlos do Carmo Municipal Auditorium, on the land in front of the Jacinto Correia Basic School and on the grounds of the Lagoa Fair and Exhibition Park. Parking lots are free. email [email protected] #algarve #portugal #viveremportugal #moraremportugal