BENSAFRIM PARISH ASSEMBLY
meeting of 26-06-2026
PROPOSAL
TITLE: AGAINST THE HOLDING OF GARRAIADAS AT FETAAL – ALGARVE TRADITIONS AND ARTS FAIR
FETAAL – Algarve Traditions and Arts Fair constitutes, many years ago, one of the most important cultural events, social and economic in Bensafrim, organized by your Parish Council. Your achievement deserves to be hailed and recognized, for the contribution it makes to the affirmation of local identity, for the appreciation of Algarve traditions and for the dynamism of the parish's economy.
Throughout the days when FETAAL takes place, many hundreds, or even thousands of people, visit Bensafrim, contributing to the promotion of the village, for local commerce activity and for the positive projection of the parish and municipality of Lagos. FETAAL is, that's why, a regional reference that is important to preserve and value.
However, the inclusion of garriadas in the Feira program deserves the deepest disagreement.
At a time when science recognizes animals as sentient beings, capable of feeling fear, stress and suffering, It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify practices that use animals for entertainment purposes. The tradition, by itself, cannot constitute an absolute argument, nor impede the evolution of society's ethical values.
It is important to remember that more than two decades ago this type of practice disappeared from the municipality of Lagos and almost the entire Algarve., with FETAAL being one of the rare exceptions. The evolution of societies is precisely due to the ability to preserve their traditions, adapting them to the values and sensibilities of their time.
Defending a FETAAL without obstacles does not mean putting into question the importance of the Fair, devalue the work of the Parish Council, of its workers, associations and volunteers, nor attack popular culture. On the contrary, It means believing that it is possible to continue making FETAAL a great celebration of Algarve traditions and arts, more modern, more inclusive and more in line with a society that recognizes the value of animal welfare.
A region that presents itself to the world as modern, sustainable and welcoming you do not need to associate your image with practices that involve animal suffering to guarantee the success of your events.
Like this, the Bensafrim Parish Assembly, met in ordinary session, expresses its protest over the inclusion of garriadas in this year's FETAAL edition and decides to recommend to the Parish Council that it not promote or authorize the carrying out of this type of initiative, replacing them with activities compatible with the defense of animal welfare and the values of a modern and evolved society.
Because the traditions that honor a people are those that know how to evolve without inflicting suffering, the Parish Assembly is called to speak out in conscience and affirm that the future of FETAAL can and should be built without obstacles.
In these terms, the movement's chosen one Lakes with Future, in this Parish Assembly, Luís Correia, proposes that this Vote of Protest be approved and calls on all members of this Assembly to vote against carrying out the protests planned for FETAAL, allowing this year's edition to be remembered for the celebration of Algarve traditions and not for the persistence of practices that a more conscious and compassionate society tends to, more and more, to reject.
Pardon, 26 June, of 2026
Lakes with Future
Luís Correia