First annual lecture in memory of John Lavranos - Feb 28th

cactusinPotThe first annual lecture in memory of John Jacob Lavranos will be held on Thursday, February 28 at Albufeira Library at 10am.

Entitled “Discovering John Lavranos: Our travels in Namibia and Madagascar”, the lecture will be a tribute to the succulent plants’ specialist.

The 40 expert fishermen in Lagos

The 40 expert fishermen in LagosA few metres from Mar d'Estórias, on the main avenue in Lagos, the wisdom of the sea and the history of our town is transmitted by living sources - in the experiences of 40 local fishermen. Lagos, a land of discoveries, men of the sea, golden coves and crystalline waters, relies on these fishermen to share their stories of authenticity lived on board their small traditional boats.

From Faro beach to Highgate - an Algarvian in London - the nasty effects of Brexit and a longing for grilled fish...

londonAn interview with Viriato Vilas-Boas, an Algarvian living in London, shows his longing for home and Faro beach, the delights of the big city despite the weather  and the nasty effects that Brexit is having on foreigners living in the UK - he wants to stay in the UK, but the scene is growing ugly, even in multi-cultural London...

Christmas Day truce of 1914

German soldier greets British “Tommies” with a Christmas tree in “No Man’s Land”Christmas 1914, the First World War. On the front lines in Europe, there was a truce. That word does not mean much to many now, but over 100 years ago for the men in the trenches, it meant everything.

It was the worst and most violent conflict the world had yet known. At the time they called it the Great War, since they did not know there would be another. It was truly a war between empires in the old world sense – French, Russian, German, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and British. In 1917 the Americans would join them.

Spearfishing in the Algarve

Spearfishing in the AlgarveThe connection the Algarve community has with the sea is undeniable. From the Portuguese Discoveries, from the search for fish for family survival to the enjoyment of water sports, we always consider the sea an essential part of our lives. So, it is not surprising that the Algarve has witnessed the birth of two people who make the sea their home and who have been distinguished by it: Teresa Duarte and Jody Lot, World Spearfishing Champions.

Christmas and New Year in Portugal

ChristmasLightsChristmas in Portugal - Christmas celebrations

Although Christmas celebration is somehow universal, you do get the small and bigger differences per country or culture. Christmas in Portugal, is mainly a time to spend with family. Although Christmas trees have been more popular since the 70’s, the main decoration still is the “presépio”, the nativity scenes, that each home will have, and that towns will display in larger sizes and sometimes even with real people and animals playing out the roles.

'Rubis Gás Up' hot air balloon festival arrives in the Algarve

'Rubis Gás Up' hot air balloon festival arrives in the AlgarveThe Rubis Gás Up festival heads to the Algarve between October 24 and 28, giving people the chance to see twenty hot air balloons in the sky over the region as well as experience a balloon flight.

The event is being organised by Windpassenger with the main sponsorship of Rubis Gás and the support of Lagos, Portimão, Faro and Albufeira Councils, the Parish Council of Alvor and Lagos and Portimão aerodromes.

Memorial erected to Via Algarviana founder member

A plaque in memory of Maurice Clyde A plaque in memory of Maurice Clyde has been unveiled to the former ‘Algarve Wednesday Walk’ leader and one of the founders of the Via Algarviana, who sadly passed away in 2014.

The memorial was provided by Silves Camara and Almargem and has been placed at an accessible point on the now hugely popular walking route, near a bridge on the M502 about 1.5 kilometres north of Silves cemetery.