11th O Feirão Portuguese Market Thrives in Andorra la Vella Plaza

Plaza Guillemó in Andorra la Vella came alive on Sunday with the 11th edition of O Feirão, the traditional Portuguese market organised by Grup de Folklore Casa de Portugal to evoke early 20th-century marketplaces from northern Portugal, particularly the Minho region.

The event ran from 10am to 2pm, drawing crowds with five themed zones featuring nearly all 53 group members in period attire. Stalls offered fresh produce from community gardens, live farm animals, homemade cakes, pastel de Belém, olive oil from Trás-os-Montes, cured meats from Alto Minho, corn bread, chorizo bread and carne brôa. A crafts area displayed handmade goods, while a tavern served tastings of vinho verde, bacalhau dishes and bifanas. Concertina music accompanied folk dances that invited visitors to join in, creating an interactive family atmosphere.

This year's edition formed part of the group's 30th anniversary celebrations in the Principat. José Luis Carvalho, the group's president and artistic director, called the market fully established after 11 years and praised its blend of imported Portuguese items with locally grown produce. He highlighted the organisation's ongoing vitality through youth participation alongside veterans involved for three decades. "It's an added value to keep spreading Portuguese popular culture, but also this union, this marriage between Andorran and Portuguese culture," Carvalho said.

He pointed to cultural ties between Andorra and northern Portugal, referencing the exhibition Retrats d'ara i d'abans, which had recently shown in Andorran museums before heading to Lisbon. Some visitors mistook the displayed Portuguese traditional dress for Andorran attire, he noted. Carvalho also positioned O Feirão as one of three key Andorran events showcasing Portuguese cuisine, alongside the Mostra de la Diversitat Cultural and Andorra la Vella Fair.

Portugal's Consul General in Andorra, Duarte Pinto da Rocha, described the market as "the summer party of the Portuguese community." He emphasised its role in fostering cohesion among residents, visitors and younger generations—especially second and third-generation Portuguese—ahead of the holiday season, while keeping family roots and cultural identity alive.

The event enjoyed backing from Andorra la Vella council and the Portuguese Consulate General, underscoring three decades of cultural promotion.