Everything is ready for the 17th edition of Mercado Quinhentista, which starts this Friday, in Machico, and only ends on Sunday.
Under the theme ‘Machiquo: floor of fire’, the professor responsible for the organization, Ricardo Caldeira, explained to TSF-Madeira everything that will happen.
Therefore, throughout this weekend, visitors can count on many activities to see and do in Machico, which will feature 1,300 extras.
“And basically we celebrate history, the history of settlement with the theme Machiquo: floor of fire. Fire was very important for the beginnings of settlement, but it is also fundamental throughout all time. Therefore, there will be every day fire show at night. The first linked to the Atlantic Festival, which will be 18 to 20 minutes of Fogo. Machico, which will be a torch that will light on the city’s slopes”, explained the organiser.
In addition to this part linked to the theme and Fire, there will also be, as always, many animation groups. “We will have around 50 groups. A group is coming, Destar Castiano, a group from Florence, Bandeirantes de Florence from Italy, as well as continental and local groups, which are very important”, he explained.
Also noteworthy is the food and drink area, which is different from anything else you can find within this type of initiative.
“There are very specific stands, the pork sandwich stand, the pig on the spit and the wheat soup. What we found, at the bodega square level, where you eat, is that a totally different concept in all recreation events, which is to take advantage of our traditional food, which is very seasonal and traditional, and transport it to the event and each association can manage its product”, he stated.
In terms of spaces, this year’s edition of Mercado Quinhentista will feature 70 spaces that are basically divided into four zones; the bodega square, which is where people eat, the merchants street, which is where there are spices, taverns, various types of products, the crafts street, which is where the arsenal is located with people working live and others selling and then the entertainment area for children, with games and other types of events.
As tradition dictates, the official opening, which takes place this afternoon, at 4 pm, will be attended by Miguel Albuquerque, president of the Regional Government. Then, at 4:30 pm, there will be the Dramatization of the Season.
At 5 pm, it will be Petizes and Infantes Hour, followed, at 7 pm, by the Horse Weapons Tournament.
At 9 pm, it will be time for the Parade of the Commendation of Souls. At 10:30 pm, there will be a fire theater ‘Fachos de Paixões’ and, finally, at 11 pm, it’s time for all eyes to turn to the skies with the pyrotechnic show of the Atlantic Festival.