Tourists visiting the Algarve this weekend will be able to enjoy a diverse array of activities at the Mediterranean Diet Fair in Tavira.
Even though the Algarve is not geographically located along the Mediterranean coastline, its cuisine is considered to share the same nutritious health benefits, and Portugal as a whole has historical, geo-political and cultural ties to Mediterranean countries – as well as similarities in climate and flora.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Mediterranean Diet being officially inscribed on UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (ICH)” representative list. Portugal was one of seven countries formally signing on to the declaration in 2013, and Tavira is the country’s “representative community” for the Mediterranean Diet’s ICH classification.
According to organisers of the Tavira fair, which is held on 9-10 September, the Mediterranean Diet “is a living heritage of the whole country, in line with UNESCO Conventions and its growing national and international relevance. It has been researched and studied by various branches of science, and is a legacy of the civilisations that gave rise to our cultural identity, language and ways of living, producing and eating, which are essential for enhancing and strengthening regional economies.”
UNESCO itself hails the Mediterranean Diet as involving “a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols and traditions concerning crops, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry, conservation, processing, cooking, and particularly the sharing and consumption of food.
“Eating together is the foundation of the cultural identity and continuity of communities throughout the Mediterranean basin. It is a moment of social exchange and communication, an affirmation and renewal of family, group or community identity. The Mediterranean diet emphasises values of hospitality, neighbourliness, intercultural dialogue and creativity, and a way of life guided by respect for diversity.
“It plays a vital role in cultural spaces, festivals and celebrations, bringing together people of all ages, conditions and social classes. It includes the craftsmanship and production of traditional receptacles for the transport, preservation and consumption of food, including ceramic plates and glasses.”
This year’s Tavira fair program is highlighted by exhibitions of handicrafts and traditional products, botanical and seed displays, catering, gastronomic demonstrations, tastings and snacks, and Portuguese and Mediterranean music with live concerts by artists from Algeria, France, Spain, Morocco and Italy. Additional activities include workshops, traditional dances and other performing arts, and visits to natural heritage attractions.
