The Day of the Pavement Layer and Portuguese Pavement is celebrated this Wednesday, July 22nd, with the Funchal City Council honoring its employees. The ceremony will take place at 3 pm in the City Hall atrium, attended by Mayor Jorge Carvalho.
This event is part of the national celebrations for this traditional art form. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Pavement Association has warned that the profession of cobblestone paver is at risk of extinction. They cite a lack of appeal, poor working conditions, and low pay as major contributing factors.
The association estimates the average age of pavers is around 55, with few young people entering the trade and low demand for specialized training, raising concerns about the future preservation of this craft.
