Cammelias Festival - 23ª edition on Porto's city

Expositions at Mosteiro's saloon

Elegance, variety, passion and beauty was the things that described the “XXIII Exposição de Camélias do Porto”, which took place in São Bento Monastery on 3 and 4 March. The recession took place in a large hall with arrangements scattered throughout its length.

The program was filled with musical performances, workshops, ceremonies and exhibitions at various points of the city. The event stirred the whole city during this period, and was attended by tourists and locals.

Speaking to Porto Gardens, Eduarda Paz, President of the Portuguese Association of Camellias, said that even though in a smaller amount, tourists do not stop participating in the exhibition. "Some communication actions were carried out, such as the delivery of camellias at the airport and the decoration of the metro stations for the promotion of the festival," she says. In addition, this being the twenty-third edition, and resulting in a joint organization between the City Council and the Portuguese Association of Camellias, the association president said that this moment is of great importance so that the camellias are not seen only as plants ornamental, since in this event are presented other products and manifestations of art linked to the flower. "Here we do not see the camellia just like a flower."

Visitors filled the saloon

One of the more assiduous followers of the festival, Valdemar Ferreira, tells that he was in the first edition of the festival, performed at Mercado Ferreira Borges, and that even at that time, people still skeptical about the exhibition, since camellias are not flowers of Portuguese origin. However, with several editions already made, Valdemar said that he always comes as a great admirer of this spectacle. Carmem Martins, also an admirer of this exhibition, visits the festival every year, declaring herself enchanted by the beauty and variety of flowers. "It's a spectacular display! I commend myself to know the fauna and flora of Porto".

In this edition, the exhibition counted on four prizes for the flowers that stood out the most. The first and second places for the Best Camellia of Portuguese Origin and first and second place for the Best Camellia. Cristina Magalhães, private producer of these flowers was one of the winners, along with her husband, taking home the first place in the Best Camellia category. With an imposing arrangement and a diverse and colorful table, she told Porto Gardens that all the production is done as a hobby, there are no intentions of trade with their flowers, the work is rather directed to the creation of a collection.

The winner to best camellia

Second place to best camellia

She has been a member of the festival for more than eight years. She points out that each year is a surprise and she intends to participate in the exhibition whenever possible. In addition to the first prize of this edition, Cristina has also won previous editions and in different categories. When asked about the change of location of the event to the São Bento Monastery, it only makes one caveat regarding the logistics of the space. "This Monastery is historical and beautiful, but as an exhibitor, the site does not have a good logistics for the transport of the material."

The winner to best portuguese camellia

Second place to best portuguese camellia

Outside the Monastery space, the city received the camellias in metro stations, symphonic concerts, installations and works shows. A beautiful festival that shows that Porto really is the city of camellias.

Text by : Matheus Rebelo
Photography: Matheus Rebelo

Translated by: Marta Costa