CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF SPRING AT THE ENCHANTING MADEIRA FLOWER FESTIVAL


Portugal’s jewel-in-the-crown, Madeira, will be even more beautiful from 15th – 18th April 2010, as the archipelago showcases their annual Flower Festival. Spring has definitely sprung, and there is no better time to indulge in some eco-friendly culture and relaxation.

This year’s Earth theme is a nod to 2010 being the International Year of Biodiversity, and celebrations are sure to impress as the community comes alive with the beauty of nature.

The Flower Festival is an annual event for Madeira locals, and a hypnotic draw-card for tourists, as it showcases the rare and exotic flora of the region, whilst maintaining the traditional charm. Parades, exhibitions, music and food are all part of the allure, and the 2010 event is gearing up to be one to remember as the community recovers from the aftermarth of February’s floods.

Petal Power

Festivities kick off on Thursday 15th April at the Central Square of Avenida Arriaga with the opening of the Flower Market, and the Flower Exhibition at the Largo da Restauração. The main streets of the capital Funchal will be transformed with a parade of delicate flower carpets.

Youngsters take centre stage on Saturday 17th April, with thousands participating in the Children’s Parade. The celebrations culminate in the Praça do Município when children lay flowers to build a symbolic ‘Wall of Hope’ and doves are released. The festival concludes on Sunday in dramatic and spectacular style with the Grand Flower Parade through the city streets. An intoxicating spectacle of flower-themed floats, music and characters will captivate Funchal, as this iconic tradition has done for many years.

For all enquiries regarding the Madeira Islands, please contact The Madeira Promotion Bureau on +351 291 203 420 or email: geral@ap-madeira.pt or the Madeira Tourism Board +351 291 211 900 or email: info@madeiratourism.com or log onto www.madeiraislands.travel


Data: 27 MAY 2010