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The Casa do Alentejo of Toronto once more represented Portuguese culture in this important multicultural event that has graced the Toronto cultural calendar for the last 35 years and in which numerous ethnic groups participate. The Alentejo Pavilion of this prestigious cultural association at their headquarters in Dupont Street was a huge success during the ten days of this year's edition of Caravan 2003, despite the SARS epidemic, a major set back to the local tourist industry in the last few months resulting in the loss of millions of dollars.
The Casa do Alentejo was constantly packed with visitors for the full duration of the event. Here, they were able to appreciate, not only our music and folklore, but also our rich gastronomy with its cod, pork, barbecued sausage, stewed octopus, caldo verde (green collard soup) and other delicacies, as well as our pastry and shrimp and meat rissóis that delighted even the most demanding of palates. There were performances by the group "Searas de Portugal", the Casa do Alentejo Adult and Junior Folkdance Groups, the group "Ceifeiros"; the Casa do Alentejo Feminine and Masculine Choirs and Gymnastics Group. The traditional Lisbon "marchas populares" (popular marches) dedicated to the three popular saints, St. Anthony, St. Peter and St. John, which are the delight of the inhabitants of the Portuguese capital, and not only, were showcased by yet another Casa do Alentejo group.
These performances often ended with the groups inviting visitors to join in on their dances, and truth be said, many did very well. We wish to congratulate the Casa do Alentejo for yet another resounding success. Their participation in this multicultural event, Caravan 2003, has served to further dignify Lusitanian culture in Ontario. Translated from the original
Portuguese text by
Carlos Morgadinho . |
