What’s the point of a twin city? Well, the aim is to promote long-term cultural and commercial bonds between these places – and Bristol is lucky enough to have seven of them. Exactly 40 years ago, Bristol twinned with Porto in 1984, a relationship that has sparked countless Portuguese-themed events (from street artists at Upfest to ‘Portugal Day’ in local schools).
This weekend (Saturday, June 23), the biggest festival in Porto is happening. Festa de São João do Porto (aka Festival of St John of Porto) will see thousands across the city pay tribute to Saint John the Baptist; and party with folk music, eat street food, light up paper lanterns, jump over bonfires, and most curiously, hit each other with inflatable hammers and wave garlic flowers.
The history between Bristol and Porto dates much further back than their twin city status. Trade links between them (based on the supply of Port wine) date back to the 17th Century. In fact, Harvey’s Bristol Cream is the result of this friendship and many sailors would’ve travelled directly from the festivities to our city afterwards.
But for the first time, Bristol will host its very own Festa de São João do Porto this Saturday too. Harbourside’s The Pump House will celebrate Porto’s annual midsummer party with Portuguese street food, plenty of wine, live art from Inkie, and music from Total Cluster Funk and DJ John Stapleton.
Organised by Xisto Wines and the Port O’ Bristol – who restarted importing port to Bristol by sailboat five years ago – the celebrations will take place from 12 to 10pm. Enjoy Portuguese wines, food and music, and be a part of a new Bristol tradition hundreds of years in the making. And who knows, maybe you’ll get your hands on one of those hammers…