Northern Portugal: Alijó Festivals & Film Accolades
From the festive streets of Alijó to international cinema accolades in Cape Verde, Northern Portugal is buzzing with activity this week. Our latest regional roundup covers cultural highlights, police crackdowns, and new art exhibitions across the north.
Alijó Celebrates Municipal Day with Wine, Chestnuts, and Tradition
The town of Alijó is preparing for its traditional São Martinho Fair this Wednesday, a vibrant street festival that honors the region’s deep-rooted customs. To celebrate Municipal Day, the town’s center will transform into a culinary hub where the 14 local parishes offer free tastings of new wines and regional delicacies.
Visitors can enjoy the traditional “magusto” (roasted chestnuts) and “tripas” (tripe), a staple of the Douro region’s identity. Organized by the City Council’s cultural wing and local parish councils, the event aims to preserve the “memory and identity” of Vila Real through gastronomy and live entertainment.
Estarreja’s Cine Clube de Avanca Sweeps Awards in Cape Verde
Three films produced in collaboration with the Cine Clube de Avanca (CCA) were honored at the 6th Djarfogo International Film Festival (DIFF) in Cape Verde this past Saturday. The recognized works include Noir & Lumi by Cláudio Jordão, Ursonâncias by Luís Margalhau, and Salto by Ana Castro.
The CCA, based in Estarreja, hailed the awards as a significant milestone for Portuguese cinema. In a statement, the association noted that these accolades strengthen the international presence of local production structures and help showcase the creativity of Portuguese directors on the global stage.
Police Crackdown: Eight Arrested for Drunk Driving in Aveiro
The Public Security Police (PSP) in Aveiro launched a targeted operation this week, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol. The suspects, aged between 23 and 49, were apprehended between Thursday and Monday morning.
Five arrests took place in Aveiro and three in Espinho, with blood alcohol levels ranging from 1.22 to 2.00 grams per liter. Additionally, police arrested one individual in Aveiro for driving without a valid license.
Stolen French Industrial Machine Recovered in Arcos de Valdevez
The National Republican Guard (GNR) has successfully recovered a piece of industrial machinery valued at 17,000 euros that was reported stolen in France. Acting on a tip from the equipment’s owner, officers located the machine in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, Viana do Castelo.
Police have identified one suspect in connection with the theft, and the case has been referred to the local Judicial Court.
Mário Rebelo de Sousa Exhibition Opens in Ponte da Barca
Art enthusiasts can look forward to the opening of “O Infinito é Já Ali” (Infinity is Right There), a solo exhibition by renowned visual artist Mário Rebelo de Sousa. The exhibition debuts on November 16 at 5:00 PM at the Ponte da Barca Town Hall.
A self-taught artist born in Âncora, Rebelo de Sousa is a founding member of several prominent art collectives, including NUCLEARTES and the Luso-Galician Artists Group (GALG). His work, which has been exhibited internationally, will be on display until December 6. The gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday.
Image: Pexels – Julia Volk
