Ovibeja agricultural fair celebrates 40 years and is dedicated to associations

Concerts by the group UB40 and Ana Moura, Cante Alentejano and colloquiums are some of the highlights of the 40th edition of the Ovibeja agricultural fair, dedicated to associations and which kicks off, on Tuesday, in Beja, with more than a thousand exhibitors.

Considered “the great fair of the south”, which brings together “all of Alentejo in this world”, Ovibeja is an organization of Agricultores do Sul (ACOS) and will take place, until May 5th, at the Manuel Castro e Brito Fair and Exhibition Park , in the Alentejo city.

“Ovibeja is a big agricultural fair, but it is more than that. It’s a fair for various ages”, the president of ACOS, Rui Garrido, highlighted to the Lusa agency today.

According to the person responsible, this year some changes will be introduced in the organization of the venue, to improve the experience of visitors.

“For example, we will have giant screens at the fair, which will broadcast the concerts at night and, during the day, they will show advertising from sponsors and all kinds of useful information”, he indicated.

Another “new feature has to do with the creation of a space located in the Pavilhão do Cante, where a small stage will be set up for local artists”, Rui Garrido also announced.

As always, Ovibeja will be the ‘stage’ for visits from many politicians, with emphasis on the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, who ACOS and the Government itself have already announced will inaugurate the fair, at 11:00 on Tuesday.

Over the six days of Ovibeja (this year there is one more day), there are also many debates scheduled. On the opening day, at 3:00 pm, the II National Colloquium on Extensive Grazing will take place, while, for Thursday, a colloquium on “Agricultural Associations” is planned.

The future of viticulture, the preservation of indigenous breeds, professional education, agroecology and natural-based solutions, welcoming immigrants or competitiveness in agriculture are other topics under discussion during the fair.

The program also includes, on May 4th, the awards ceremony for the 13th International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition – CA Ovibeja Award.

As in previous editions, Ovibeja this year has more than a thousand exhibitors participating, in addition to a livestock exhibition with around 400 animals.

The concerts are one of the biggest attractions of the event and, this year, they will take place on the main stage, always from 11pm, Calema (Tuesday), Buba Espinho (Wednesday), Lucky Duckies (Thursday) , UB40 (Friday) and Ana Moura (May 4th).

For the afternoon of May 4th, at 3:30 pm, the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the elevation of the Alentejo song to Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO is also planned, with the participation of several groups.

Exhibition and sale of agri-food products, handicrafts, agricultural machinery and equipment, institutional stands, equestrian and dog events, livestock competitions, restaurant area, food and drink kiosks and street food spaces, street entertainment or demonstrations of new technologies applied to agriculture are other aspects of the event.