Campino Festival met its objectives, says local authority: Gazeta Rural

The Municipal Council of Golegã, as organizer of the 1st Campino Festival, considers that all the objectives defined by the organization have been fulfilled, namely with the dignification and exaltation of Campino, the greatest symbol of Ribatejo, but also by creating conditions for the Azinhaga may have, in the future and annually, an event of regional dimension that brings economic benefits to local businesses and the population of the parish, through the development of tourism.

The event, which took place between the 26th and 28th of April, had the logistical and operational support of the Toiro à Corda Association, without which it would have been impossible to carry out this event that we set out to carry out in close collaboration. We also want to thank the Azinhaga Parish Council, for the support and availability shown in the preparation and during the event, support that is essential to guarantee the success achieved.

The 1st Campino Festival had a packed agenda of activities, where Campino was the center of attention, demonstrating all the Ribatejo bravery and race in the various bull entries, in the driving tests of halter games and the guide ox, in the picaria to the broad pole and in the skill tests. Bullfighting activities were also highlighted, with bull runs and bull riding, so traditional in Azinhaga. The religious ceremony of the Blessing of Campinos and animals performed by the Hon. Lord Father Pedro Marques was distinctive, as well as the tribute to all the campinos who performed this role over the centuries, which touched the many people present.

Also the great Ethnographic Parade, which included the participation of 5 folklore groups, the old bicycle section of NSCPGolegã and the old bicycle group of Golegã “Amigos da Pinga”, as well as the dozens of campinos and amateur riders present and animals, marked the difference and enhanced the event.

At a cultural level, the City Council would like to thank the invaluable collaboration of Rancho os Campinos da Azinhaga, which simultaneously held the Folklore Festival and the Fandangos Meeting, with a declamation by Raul Caldeira, as well as the Sociedade de Recreio Musical Azinhaguense 1º de Outubro which brightened up Saturday’s bullfight and held an incredible Pasodobles concert and also a fantastic performance by Las Rocieras da Golegã.

The photography exhibition “Mundo Rural”, with photographs by Joaquim Eduardo Madeira and the Street Exhibition “O Berço do Campino” with new photographs by Carlos Relvas portraying the life of campinos in 1880, delighted visitors, as did the musical performances by bands Mala Conexion and Bellota Trompetera, by DJ C Mike and DJ Stefan da Silva, as well as the Fados concert that closed the Festival where Beatriz Pimentel sang, who invited some local artists to take the stage, accompanied by João Vaz on the Portuguese guitar and Alexandre Silva on the fado guitar.

It is also important to highlight the challenge made to local traders to display and sell their products and to all food and drink retail spaces, which contributed to improving the activity and dynamics of the event venue, as well as the provision of the SIC space for setting up the competition venue, to Correaria Silvério for the prizes offered, to the chef Luis Serra and the entire team, to the workers from the Municipality of Golegã responsible for setting up the event, coordinating the shows and the cultural part, cleaning and dismantling, as well as all the sponsors and partners of the event, namely Segurajuda, Agromais, Caravela, Trincão Pneus, Cafetaria Laços, Auto Service, Aziagri, Brevecircuito and Pelarigo.

Finally, the most important thank you goes to Casas Agrícolas and Campinos who accepted the invitation to be part of the History and memory of traditional Portuguese culture, participating and founding the 1st Campino Festival!