Flooding in Leça do Balio to watch the historical recreation of the royal wedding
The 17th edition of the Leça do Balio medieval fair came to an end yesterday. It was five days of intense activity and animation in the area surrounding the Monastery of Leça do Balio. From September 7th to 11th, besides the taverns that served snacks and drinks and the conventual confectionary stalls, the thousands of visitors could watch the work performed live by various craftsmen, interact with the various characters of the time such as jugglers, acrobats, jugglers, knights, merchants, snake charmers and watch several recreations of legends. The event also featured lots of entertainment, music and dance, guided tours of the heritage, horseback tournaments, weapons and bird training, workshops for the youngsters, among many other activities.
This year's program also included the pilgrimage from Santo António do Telheiro to the Monastery of Leça do Balio led by historian Joel Cleto, starting at the Chapel of Santo António do Telheiro, and passing by the Chapel of Ermida until the Monastery of Leça do Balio, place of shelter and assistance to pilgrims who sought the tomb of the apostle Santiago.
The videomapping show "The Pilgrims and the Roads of Santiago" was another of the many highlights of the fair. The story of the pilgrims, the Order's paths, and the Monastery of Leça do Balio was told with moments of video projection on the front façade of the Leça do Balio monastery. Interspersed with the projections, on the stage in front of the monastery, moments of music, dance, hospitality fights, and fire numbers took place. Variety and multimedia shows that aimed to make the public aware of the history of the monastery, the pilgrims, and the hospitallers.
Another of the highlights of this medieval festival that caused a flood in the enclosure was yesterday's recreation of the royal wedding between D. Fernando and D. Leonor Teles. An event celebrated in 1372, which was involved in much controversy. It was the only royal wedding to be celebrated outside the capital. Against everyone's wishes, D. Fernando marries D. Leonor Teles, making her queen of Portugal. The ceremony takes place at the Monastery of Leça do Balio, under protests from the people, violently repressed by the king, giving rise to the events that, years later, triggered the political crisis of 1383-1385.
This year, actor António Camelier, known for his role in the series "Red Moon" and more recently for his participation in the soap operas "The Saw" and "Honeymoon", played the role of D. Fernando, while D. Leonor was played by dancer and choreographer Vanda Gameiro, known for her great shows and for her participation in the program "Dance with the Stars".
The journey to medieval times is over for now, but promises to return. See you next year.
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