Portugal’s largest vegan fair returns to Loulé in September
Portugal’s largest vegan fair returns to the Algarve next month, with organisers expecting thousands of visitors and around 5,000 plant-based meals to be served over three days.
“it is possible to organise a large-scale event, with the capacity to cater to thousands of visitors, while protecting animals and saving the planet”
The seventh edition of FAVA – Algarve Environment and Vegan Fair will take over Loulé Municipal Park from September 18 to 20, combining food, sustainability, entertainment, sport and activities for all ages. Spread across more than 14,000sqm, the fair will feature over 100 exhibitors representing around 20 sectors, ranging from food and agriculture to clothing, books, gardening and handicrafts.
Food will naturally be one of the main attractions, with more than 30 food and drink stands serving entirely plant-based versions of everything from Portugal’s famous francesinhas to burgers, pizzas, pastries, cakes and ice cream. Organisers are hoping to beat the 4,125 meals served last year, with around 5,000 expected this time.
Visitors will in addition be able to choose from more than 100 activities and performances throughout the weekend. The programme includes live music, theatre, poetry, dance and magic, alongside yoga, Pilates, capoeira, Tai Chi and other activities.
There will in addition be cooking demonstrations and talks featuring figures from Portugal’s vegan community, including Victoria Ye, known for her vegan Asian cooking, the team behind Desafio Vegetariano PT and nutritionist Inês Lapa. Efforts are also being made to cut waste throughout the fair.
There will be no single-use plastic cups or bottles, tableware will be compostable or reusable and free drinking-water points will be available around the venue. Visitors are being encouraged to bring their own reusable cups, while bags distributed at the event will be made from reused fabric.
FAVA in addition avoids the fuel-powered generators commonly used at large outdoor events. “Our goal is to combat single-use plastic,” Pereira said. Created in 2018, FAVA is organised as part of the work of Associação Benfazer, with support from Loulé Council.
Last year’s edition brought together 140 exhibitors and offered 135 activities and performances with the involvement of around 50 partner organisations. Going to Pereira, the ambition is to show that a major public event can attract thousands of people without abandoning its environmental and animal-welfare principles.
The aim, he explained, is to demonstrate that “it is possible to organise a large-scale event, with the capacity to cater to thousands of visitors, while protecting animals and saving the planet”. FAVA will be open from 6pm to 11pm on Friday, 11am to 11pm on Saturday and 11am to 8pm on Sunday.
- Who: Portugal · Algarve Environment
