Festas de Lisboa 2022

In Lisbon (Portugal), June is the month of street parties in celebration of the City's patron saint, Santo Antonio. In the last two years, the events had to be cancelled due to the pandemic; in 2022, the population was eager to return to the streets for this very popular celebration that include countless food stalls, street parties and concerts, and the 'marchas populares' (a parade in which all neighbourhoods compete). The gay pride ('a marcha do orgulho') takes place during the celebrations, as part of the elements that bring diversity and inclusiveness into the tradition. The nights are filled with exuberant joy and the smell of grilled sardines. While this is a well-known event, included to tourists, I was guided by its authenticity and I've been trying to capture what it means for the inhabitants of Lisbon. The series is part of my photographic exploration of a country I moved to during the pandemic.