More than 4,000 people attend spring festival

Chris CraddockBBC Jersey communities reporter
News imageBBC A woman and two men sit at a table inside a tent smiling as they have some food and drinkBBC
People enjoyed traditional Portuguese food and drink at the festival

More than 4,000 people attended the Portuguese Spring Festival in Jersey.

The celebration of Portuguese food and culture was held at Les Jardins de la Mer for four days including the Bank Holiday weekend

About one in 11 Jersey residents say they have Portuguese or Madeiran heritage.

Organisers said it had been a "spectacular weekend".

'Blessed'

Jason Maindonald, one of the organisers, said they had been “blessed with the good weather” and “over 1,000 people a day” had come to the festival.

He has been helping with the event for nearly 15 years and added they wanted to promote Portuguese and Madeiran culture.

Mr Maindonald also said the event had changed "massively" since it started but the stalls still cook traditional foods.

News imageMan looks at the camera in front of a railing with a Portuguese banner on which shows the country's flag and some traditional foods
Jason Maindonald said work had already started on the Madeira Festival in July

Miguel de Jesus from No 6 Poncha Bar & Eatery said the event was very busy and brought the Portuguese community together.

He said "we have to have our own party" because there are so many people from the Portuguese community in Jersey.

He said it was really important as it "reminds us of home".

News imageMan smiles at the camera behind a bar while some people enjoy food and drink behind him
Miguel de Jesus said it was important to share Portuguese food, drink and culture with the wider island community

Alcinda Rodrigues said she came to the festival most years to and "you see people you haven't seen for years here" and "it’s good to come together over traditional food".

"It’s always good coming here," she said.

"We can show other people how Portuguese people celebrate with food too."

News imageAlcinda smiles at the camera as she holds a box of food
Alcinda said the food and drink at the festival was an important way to celebrate Portuguese culture

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