Lagos hosts “largest ever” Arte Doce sweets competition

THE EVENT SET A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD IN 2019

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, Lagos is the place to be between July 27 and 31, when the town will host the “largest ever” Arte Doce sweets competition. After being suspended for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event will once again shine the spotlight on the most delicious sweets that the Algarve has to offer. The 2019 edition was a historic one for the event, which set a Guinness World Record for the largest Dom Rodrigo sweet that the world has ever seen.

After such a monumental occasion, organisers want the event to have an “impactful” return and thus have increased its duration to four days and have ramped up the entertainment programme, with more activities and concerts. The 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first train to Lagos will be the theme of the event, whilst the Spanish region of Estremadura has been invited to partake in the festivities.

For those who love or are at least acquainted with Portuguese music, the musical programme is an impressive one with singer/songwriter Rui Veloso due to take the stage on the opening day (July 27), followed by rappers Gabriel o Pensador (July 28) and Dillaz (July 29). Pop singer Bárbara Bandeira will perform on July 30, with Fado singer Mariza bringing the event to a close on July 30.

The sweets contest will feature four categories this year – Free Theme, Mandatory Theme (the centenary of the arrival of the first train to Lagos), Quality in Tradition (bakers must bake one traditional Algarve sweet: Doce Fino, Dom Rodrigo, Morgado and Doce de Figo), and Innovation Sweet. ■