Golegã Fair is recognized as intangible cultural heritage

A Feira Nacional do Cavalo, known as Feira da Golegã, was entered in the National Inventory of Immaterial Cultural Heritage, recognition that the mayor considers a milestone in the appreciation and safeguarding of Portuguese equestrian tradition.

The registration was determined by order published today in Diário da República, after a proposal from the Department of Cultural Goods of Cultural Heritage, I.P., which highlighted the importance of the Golegã Fair as “identitary symbol of the local community and the equestrian community”, as well as its historical roots in the Fair of São Martinho, existing since the sixteenth century.

In statements to Lusa, the mayor of Golegã, António Camilo, said that recognition is “an important milestone in valuing and safeguarding one of the most emblematic cultural manifestations” of the county, region and country.

“ It is closely linked to the identity of the Golegã, the equestrian traditions, the horse and the history of our peoples ", said the mayor.

According to António Camilo, more than one event, the Golegã Fair includes the São Martinho Fair, the National Horse Fair and the Lusitano International Horse Fair, constituting “a cultural and equestrian event transmitted between generations and bringing together creators, knights, campinos, artisans and other agents linked to the sector”.

The mayor also considered that the registration in the National Inventory of Immaterial Cultural Heritage represents a decisive step towards the candidacy of the Golegã Fair to the List of Unesco's Immaterial Cultural Heritage.

“ This recognition is also a fundamental step towards the next great goal ", said, advancing that it intends to convey this intention to the Secretary of State for Culture, Alberto Santos, during a ceremony scheduled for Friday.

For the mayor, the distinction may also strengthen the notoriety and attractiveness of the event.

“Tourist projection becomes more cemented” and opens the possibility of capturing new public and private support, including sponsors, he said.

António Camilo also pointed out that the process that led to the classification was “long”, involving the preparation of about two thousand pages of documentation in physical and digital support.

“ It was a procedure that took his time, but I think that, after a year and a little, we managed to carry him forward and have this recognition”, he said.

In the order now published, the Cultural Heritage, I.P. states that the registration meets the criteria defined in the legislation of intangible cultural heritage, recognizing the relevance of the Feira da Golegã as an expression of local identity and Portuguese equestrian culture, as well as the historical and social continuity of the manifestation over several centuries.