The Portimão Sardine Festival kicked off yesterday afternoon, the opening was attended by the Minister of the Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino, the Minister of Home Affairs, Eduardo Cabrita, and the Secretary of State for Fisheries, the Algarvean José Apolinário.
However, the governmental presence was added to as Prime Minister António Costa appeared at the event, just in time to have dinner and take selfies with some of the locals.
Later, in front of several tens of thousands of people, the inaugural concert was held by Amor Electro, only a few hours after learning of the death of one of the band's members, bassist Rui Rechena, who had been hospitalized since June.
This year, the Sardine Festival has moved from the old space to another located near the Naval Club, where local clubs of Boa Esperança, Clube União, Gejupce and Alvorense, in exchange for 8.50 euros, served menus consisting of sardines, bread, boiled potatoes, and Algarve-style salad.
