Get to know the city better at a festival with all kinds of music
Porto.
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He has been travelling from Spain for three consecutive years to 'enjoy' Primavera Sound in Parque da Cidade. Two years ago, he began to 'experience' the three days of the festival with a visit to the replica of Mercado do Bolhão. David Chacon has no doubt that this way he 'gets to know the city better'.
This year, the Municipality of Porto will once again be strongly represented at the 11th edition of Primavera Sound Porto, not only with the iconic market but also through the spaces of municipal companies. At 'Bolhão', visitors have a more interactive experience, with a passport that invites them to explore the different city projects on site.
'We knew a bit about the city, but with this tent we got to know it even better. We tell everyone that Porto is the number one place to visit', David Chacon confessed, moving on to hear Pulp and The National, in particular, during the three days of the festival.
Even though she's from Porto, Ana Vaz recognises that she's learnt 'a few more things' after visiting the market. The same happened with Mafalda Reis, who tried the free water. The 'Bebe Água do Porto' (Drink Porto Water) project, run by Águas e Energia do Porto, encourages tap water consumption by offering reusable cups. 'It's a very good initiative', the young festival-goer adds, a declared fan of the American band Mitski.
At each stall located in the 'Mercado do Bolhão', participants can carry out interactive and themed activities devised by the municipality. Thus, at the end of the trip, upon presentation of the stickers proving their participation, they will enjoy a wine tasting and receive the Porto Kit, which includes a cap, tote bag/backpack and a Porto diary for the month of June.
'It's a very funny concept, this 'Bolhão' logic, which represents the city as a whole. It's a Market that reflects tourism, the economy, entrepreneurship', the Councillor for the Economy, Employment and Entrepreneurship emphasises, considering the presence of foreigners (more than half of the festival-goers) representative of 'an important weight' in Primavera Sound and in the city's dynamics during these days.
'This year, for example, we're talking about a record attendance of Americans. More than 1,400 have travelled here', Ricardo Valente discloses.
It's a very funny concept, this 'Bolhão' logic, which represents the city as a whole".
The councillor himself, who has been a festival-goer since the first edition in 2012 and who this year doesn't want to miss the concerts by PJ Harvey, Amyl and the Sniffers, Lana del Rey, The National and Pulp, invites everyone to visit Mercado do Bolhão at Primavera Sound Porto. Why? 'We bring a lot of talent logic, combined with the artists who appear on stage. We have a logic of entrepreneurship, with the city's start-up ecosystem, looking to hold a quiz. And then, on the InvestPorto side, a lot of the concept of companies and employment and what they can offer in this area', Ricardo Valente says.
In short, visitors can interact with TERA (Talent. Develop. Retain. Attract), Scale Up Porto and Invest Porto, under the Economy, Employment and Entrepreneurship department, as well as Visit Porto, under the Tourism and Internationalisation department.
Wheel of fortune and 'Jenga'
A replica of a historic Bolhão stall is installed on the fringes of the small market. In this space, run by the municipal company GO Porto, there is a wheel of fortune with offers for participants, which will materialise into opportunities to enjoy the best that the real Bolhão has to offer.
Among the prizes for visitors are vouchers with discounts that can be used at the stalls and restaurants of the fresh foods market, bags alluding to the market and even products coming directly from the city's historic centre, such as fruit or flowers.
There is also a Family Space. Under the motto '20 anos a fazer do Porto casa' (20 years making Porto a home), the municipal company Domus Social organises two different activities, which can be done in groups, with the aim of motivating healthy competition, while at the same time getting to know the main neighbourhoods of the Invicta better.
That's where Porto met four youngsters who didn't know each other at all, but who decided to play 'jenga' anyway. 'It's not just a festival for listening to music, it also allows you to socialise, to enjoy other kinds of fun, like this', said Maria Ferreira, who with Matilde Vieira did everything they could to 'beat' the Rui Martins and Diogo Lopes duo. They came out winners.
In this area of the venue, children also have access to colouring books and tubes of soap bubbles provided by the municipal company Porto Ambiente, as well as backpacks with colouring pencils offered by GO Porto. This is where Paulo Castelão spent some of his time before the concerts began.
'I was passing by, and not knowing GO Porto, I decided to try out the game. And I won a prize', he emphasises, stressing that 'the festival stands out for its difference and that's why we come here every year.' 'Porto is a fantastic city. With concerts in the evening, you can get to know it during the day', he adds.
The festival stands out for its difference and that's why we come here every year".
Primavera Sound Porto is all about great concerts, and the first day was marked by performances by SZA and PJ Harvey. Today, with tickets sold out, Lana Del Rey and Justice take to the stage. On Saturday, the festival closes with performances by Pulp and The National.
We can't remind you enough that Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto (STCP) is once again associated with the event with a special operation that allows visitors to travel quickly and safely. The operation consists of a daytime and night-time reinforcement of the lines that run close to the venue and the activation of a special late night service that will transport visitors to the city centre after the concerts.