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Lisbon's Santo Antonio Festival Marks The Eruption Of Summer

The first of several saints days celebrated in Portugal, it marks the beginning of the city's many summer festivals.
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White lights and blue streamers hang across narrow, serpentine streets in Alfama, the old quarter of the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

Couples dance on cobblestone to Fado music. People empty pitchers of red sangria and drink sour cherry liqueur out of edible chocolate shot glasses. Sardines blacken over charcoal, waiting to be enveloped in bread and devoured by the Portuguese who love the salty taste. Dancers in pink parade down Avenida da Liberdade.

This is the Santo Antonio Festival, held every year on the eve of June 13. The first of several saints days celebrated in Portugal, it marks the beginning of the city's many summer festivities.

The Santo Antonio Festival
(01 of08)
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Dancers prepare to parade down Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, Portugal. (Credit: Olivia Katrandjian)
(02 of08)
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People walk up the cobblestone streets of Lisbon towards Alfama, where many of the Santo Antonio festivities take place. (Credit: Olivia Katrandjian)
(03 of08)
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Kegs of Portuguese beer line the streets of Alfama. (Credit: Olivia Katrandjian)
(04 of08)
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Sardines and sausages blacken over charcoal. (Credit: Olivia Katrandjian)
(05 of08)
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Makeshift street vendors sell sangria and beer. (Credit: Olivia Katrandjian)
(06 of08)
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On the eve of June 13, people take to the streets of Alfama. (Credit: Olivia Katrandjian)
(07 of08)
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Dancers parade down Avenida da Liberdade. (Credit: Jose Frade)
(08 of08)
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The smell of barbecue wafts through the streets of Alfama. (Credit: José Manuel)

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