Parties and Events
AUGUST 2002
01 to 03
Madeira Wine Rally
This is one of the most important trials of the European Championship, and the most important sporting event in the region. World-famous rally drivers bring their cars to this rally which takes place annually in the first weekend of August.
Thousands of people fill the mountain slopes in order to find a good spot to watch the rally. As the month of August is the month of most feasts, there are numerous outdoor stands selling food and drinks all over the island. This is one of the most interesting week-ends on the island.
03 to 11
Machico Gastronomy Week
With the objective of promoting the Region’s gastronomy, and this area in particular, this feast is held in Machico. Besides the gastronomy itself, there is the cocktail festival, football for veterans, beach volleyball, basketball and other activities with much music played by artists from Madeira and other national Portuguese musical attractions.
06 to 11
Sailing Championship of Portugal
Regatta of sailing vessels on the Funchal – Porto Santo sea route, promoted by the Funchal Clube Naval. Around 50 vessels will be entering and a total of 600 participants, some of which are of international renown.
14 and 15
Our Lady of Monte Feast
Celebrated on the eve of 14th August, this is considered to be the Region’s main public religious feast, in fact celebrated world-wide by emigrant groups from Madeira. There is much festivity for the two days of the feast, which transforms the picturesque and romantic village of Monte into one of the busiest places on the island.
15 to 18
Aeroclube da Madeira Festival – Porto Santo
This festival, organised by the Aeroclube da Madeira, will take place in Madeira and Porto Santo, with a variety of activities such as maiden flights, paragliding, hang-gliding, model aircraft flying, radio-controlled cars, among others.
16 to 18
Termague Regatta Cup
This is a regatta of sailing vessels usually with 20 boats participating, travelling from Funchal to Porto Santo and back.
17
Faial Song Festival
Summer festival, especially dedicated to the discovery of new performers of light music, including a large number of young participants. It will take place on Saturday night in the parish of Faial, near the old bridge.
21 to 31
Round the island Cycling
Sponsored by the Madeira Sports Association, this event has about 40 cyclists taking part.
24 to 25
"Madalena do Mar Beach" Volleyball Tournament
This event is promoted by the Madalena do Mar local Council in close collaboration with the Madeira Volleyball Association. Some of the best athletes of this sport will participate.
27/08 to 01/09
Round the island Canoe Race
Sponsored by the Sea sports training centre and about 140 sportsmen participate in it.
31/08 and 01/09
Grape Festival
Porto da Cruz, a predominantly wine-producing area, celebrates the grape festival which is seen as a good pretext for festivity. There is a street procession which brings out many cultural aspects of the district.
31/08 and 01/09
Feast of Jesus and Holy Sacrament
This is one of the biggest pilgrimages in Madeira. Multitudes of people fill the village of Ponta Delgada, from all over the island, transforming it into a religious feast which is truly rich in tradition and festivity.
SEPTEMBER 2002
07 and 08
Cider Sampling
In order to promote what was formerly a popular tradition on the island, a public feast is held in honour of this drink, in the district of Santo da Serra. This feast includes a small procession, with the pressing of the apples, as well as much music and lively activities connected to the theme.
09 to 15
Madeira International Tennis Tournament
Sponsored by the Funchal Tennis Club. Takes place in Funchal with about 110 tennis players participating.
13 to 15
Wine Festival
Celebrated in the beginning of September, at a time of the year when grapes are being collected all over the island. The aim is to recreate and reconstitute the population’s old habits, which go back to the time of settlement of the island.
In the district of Câmara de Lobos, at a distance of about 12 km from Funchal, the festival begins with the actual picking of the grapes. The rest of the wine making ritual, namely carrying the grapes to the press, pressing of the grapes and all the traditions of a typical Madeira feast, are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. There are a variety of activities and shows in Funchal connected to traditional wine-making.
14 and 15
Apple Festival
Taking place in a rural environment in the district of Ponta do Pargo, Council District of Calheta, bringing together many farmers from neighbouring regions, transforming apple production into a very lively and popular feast. By virtue of its aromatic quality, the famous apples of this region are described by famous writers who refer to its aroma, which was detected by sailors out at sea, on their way to Madeira.
There are the usual outdoor stands selling food and drinks, turning it into a very popular feast.
14 and 15
Our Lady of Piety Feast
Very characteristic feast in the fishing village of Caniçal, above all for the unique procession taking place in the bay, with many boats taking part.
The boats leave the New Quay in Caniçal, decorated with palm leaves and flags, due for the quay at the Quinta do Lorde. On this quay, the participants continue their procession on foot up to the Chapel of “Nossa Senhora da Piedade”, returning once more by boat to the village of Caniçal.
16 to 22
Madeira Juve Cup
Tennis tournament, sponsored by the Piti Tennis Club.
Takes place in Funchal and about 100 tennis players from 20 countries take part in it.
25 to 28
Christopher Columbus Week
On the last week of September, in Vila Baleira - Porto Santo, a feast is held in honour of Christopher Columbus. It includes many cultural and folk events.
28 and 29
Black Scabbard Festival
Câmara de Lobos fishing village offers all who visit it the option of tasting one of the typical gastronomic specialities of Madeira, the black Scabbard fish.
28
Atlantic Tournament
Judo tournament sponsored by the Madeira Autonomous Region Judo Association. It takes place in the city of Funchal, and there are about 100 participants.
29
World Cup Triathlon Semi-final
For the fourth consecutive year, the city of Funchal is going to be home to the World Cup Triathlon semi-final, organised by the Municipality of Funchal, managed by “Theoria Lda.” under the technical management of Portugal and the European Triathlon Union.
It is part of the world circuit of this sport. Takes place in Funchal and there will be about 130 athletes of “Elite” category, representing 12 countries taking part in this year’s event
OCTOBER 2002
Apple Festival
Takes place in the first weekend of October, in the rural District of Camacha, and consists of an exhibition and street parade, which is very pleasant for those who take part and watch, due to the variety of aromas and colours.
04 to 06
Island Triangle (Madeira Nature Park)
Organised by the Funchal Naval Club this regatta stops in at every island of the Madeira archipelago with the exception of the Selvagens Islands. This year about 50 athletes are expected to take part.
09
Feast of Our Lord of Miracles
Every year, the town of Machico commemorates this feast in the Chapel of “Senhor dos Milagres”. This is one of the oldest of Madeira’s chapels, destroyed in the flood of 1803. It was rebuilt the following year. The statue of Our Lord was washed away in the flood and found years later. Thus thousands of people collect to pay it homage in a night procession, in which the street lights are switched off and the atmosphere of religiosity is accentuated.
13
Regional Meeting of the Bands
In the first week of the month of October, at the end of the traditional religious feasts, this meeting takes place in Ribeira Brava. This is a cultural event, created in an attempt to conserve Madeira’s musical heritage.
It takes place in the early afternoon on Sunday with a procession of all the regional bands through the main streets of this village. Then the bands get together in the courtyard of the main church, and each band presents its individual repertoire, usually for 20 minutes. The meeting ends with a combined anthem composed specifically for the occasion. Trophies are then handed out, and a celebration follows.
27
Madeira Regional Meeting of Students’ Mandolin Groups
This is a meeting of groups and orchestras who perform traditional music of Madeira, playing mandolins and other string instruments. It is an opportunity to listen to popular as well as more scholarly traditional music, performed in good taste and quality by around fifteen of Madeira’s groups.
Amateur Fishing
Madeira Pesca 2002, sponsored by Madeira Autonomous Region’s Sport Fishing Association. This event will take place in Porto Santo island, in October.
NOVEMBER 2002
01
Chestnut Festival
In the rural district of Curral das Freiras, homage is paid to the chestnuts which are grown in this area in abundance, on the first day of the month of November. The local population makes the most of the chestnuts, as a main ingredient in local recipes including bakery, soups, and liqueur. This feast exhibits the numerous cultural and traditional aspects of this rural area.
01 to 04
Madeira Tourism Trophy for Classic Motorcycle
Motorcycling race promoted by “Ar Livre da Madeira Club” consisting of a city speed course to be covered. It will take place in the city of Funchal and there will be around 150 international and national participants.
03
Regional Choral Group Meeting
This is a cultural event which brings together around fifteen of Madeira’s choral groups, and is a good opportunity to hear popular and traditional songs. It takes place in Calheta.
11 to 17
International Madeira Open
Bridge open championship, sponsored by Madeira Sports Club. Takes place in Funchal, with about 220 participants
DECEMBER 2002
01 to 06/01/2003
Year-end Festivals
The Christian traditions for the period of Christmas, which are very much a part of the habits of Madeira’s population, are enjoyed together with the celebrations on New Year’s Eve, in a programme of cultural, ethnographic and artistic manifestations, which fills the month of December, and extends over up to the day of Kings.
The particular amphitheatre setting of Funchal lends itself to becoming an nativity scene, illuminated by more than 250 thousand coloured light bulbs, offering the visitor an unusually beautiful scenario.
The island celebrates New Year’s Eve in hotels, restaurants, bars and in the streets. The sky is illuminated with fireworks set off from approximately 50 posts, for the duration of about ten minutes. It is an unforgettable sight.
06 to 08
Inocêncio de Freitas Tournament
Tennis tournament promoted by the Funchal Tennis Club. Takes place in Funchal, and 40 tennis players take part.
28
Round The City
Athletics event sponsored by the Madeira Autonomous Region Athletics Association. Takes place in the city of Funchal and about 600 people take part.
