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O Carnaval de Torres Vedras é famoso em Portugal. Este ano, celebra 50 anos da Revolução de 1974. O evento é alegre , com pessoas em fantasias e desfiles satíricos . Participam muitos visitantes. O Carnaval mistura tradição e política. Este é um evento importante para a cultura portuguesa, reconhecido como Patrimônio Cultural Imaterial Nacional em 2023.
Translation
The Torres Vedras Carnival is famous in Portugal. This year, it celebrates 50 years since the 1974 Revolution. The event is cheerful, with people in costumes and satirical parades. It attracts many visitors. The Carnival combines tradition and politics. It is an important event for Portuguese culture, and in 2023 it was recognised as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: How many years since the Revolution of 1974 is being celebrated at the Torres Vedras Carnival?
50 years
Question 2: What recognition was given to the Torres Vedras Carnival in 2023?
It was recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Exercise: Vocabulary
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▌03/03/2025
The bustling city of Torres Vedras is once again alive with vibrant costumes and cheerful crowds as its famous carnival kicks off, celebrating not only the spirit of the season but also marking the significant 50th anniversary of the Revolution of 25th April 1974. Recognised as the most traditional carnival in Portugal, this year the event takes on a deeper meaning by associating its festivities with themes of freedom and political change.
This event, boasting a budget of 1.1 million euros, draws over half a million participants and visitors eager to engage in the street revelry characteristic of Torres Vedras. Known for its unique blend of tradition and satire, the carnival is rich with themes that mix current social and political issues with historical insights derived from the country's revolutionary past.
Key attractions include the satirical floats, which this year focus on various political themes. One float humorously critiques the perceived diminishing strength of the ideals born from the 'Carnation Revolution', depicting a notable revolutionary figure, Salgueiro Maia, altered into a comedic image that speaks to ongoing social dialogues about individual freedoms and public expression. Another float daringly presents world leaders like Trump and Putin on toilets, poking fun at global political tensions.
Torres Vedras Carnival Celebrates Freedom With Satire (Illustration)
Couples such as the long-time locals who met during this very celebration decades ago still participate fervently, reinforcing the community spirit that the carnival fosters. Creative attendees, like the group "As Ribeirinhas", dress as newspaper stories that provide a satirical commentary on local affairs, revealing the enduring love for humour and parody.
Despite the light-hearted nature, the message is clear: the values of freedom of speech and individual expression, achievements of the revolution, continue to be explored and celebrated throughout the event. As the day winds down, the festivities continue into the night across public squares and local entertainment venues, generating an expected economic impact of at least 12 million euros for the local economy.
In recognition of its cultural significance, the Torres Vedras Carnival was designated as a part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023, a step towards its potential candidacy for UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. As the city prepares to submit its dossier by mid-March, the carnival reasserts its role as a vital cultural event that honours Portugal's history while celebrating its rich present-day traditions.
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