The first edition of the Madeira Festival, held in Purley on the outskirts of London, has come to a close with hundreds of people attending at Rotary Field Park.
The event featured around 50 artists and musicians, many of whom traveled from Madeira. Highlights included Tiago Sena, performing with a band in the UK for the first time, and the bands of Miro Feitas, Roni de Melo, Galáxia de Vasco de Freitas, and Ernesto Macedo. Performances also came from Duo Madeirense, Lúcia Macedo, Paulino e Filhos, Diego Santos, Sérgio Santos, and Vítor Sousa.
Three folklore groups also performed: Grupo de Folclore Tradições de Portugal, Alma Portuguesa, and Raízes Lusitanas, largely composed of Madeiran emigrants. Typical gastronomy, Madeira wine tasting, and Madeiran crafts were also showcased throughout the three-day event. The Mayor of Santana, Dinarte Freitas, was the guest of honor.
