Regional Houses
Castro Daire Council House
Castro Daire Council House, founded in 1991,
"is one of many regional houses that were established in Lisbon as a result of the migratory flows that came in droves, especially in the 20th century,"
explains Luís Esteves, 39, chairman of the board.
"It was born as a response to the affirmation of the castrenses, who came to settle here in the easternmost part of Lisbon. Therefore, this associative structure ended up functioning as a place for socializing, also responding to the historical, social and political context of the time."
The celebration of Easter is one of the many traditions cherished by the castrenses in Lisbon, explains Luís Esteves:
"It's a Catholic event, because the majority of our members are Catholic. But we do it in a spirit of conviviality, where at the end of the celebration we bring the bolo podre, which is a typical Castro Daire cake and each cake represents its parish council. There's a mass and at the end we have a convivial snack".
The other is the "Castro Daire Abraça Lisboa" event, a festival that celebrates the region's traditions and includes various artistic events.
"In addition to our fixed groups, which move around the house, we have an annual program, in which we clearly highlight this great event of ours. It's a festival that takes place over several days, in which we try not only to bring Castro Daire together, but also to include in this program artistic events that we think are important for the city, for the parish, for the members and for all the friends who accompany us."
Concertina teaching
The Council House also promotes a wide range of activities, from culture to sport, with the highlight being the performances of the Folkloric Ranch and the well-known Concertina Academy: "This board was concerned with continuing what was the genesis of the Casa, which is basically to safeguard, promote and disseminate its traditions, starting with its Folkloric Ranch. As well as the ranch, we have a Concertina Group".
Through a project with the Inatel Foundation, he explains, the Casa has developed a Concertina Teaching Academy,
"perhaps the largest academy in the center-south of the country. The only reason we don't have more students is because there's no more space. But, in fact, there are many who are passionate about this very Portuguese instrument, our repertoire and our songbook".
It is sport, however, the practice of traditional games and gastronomy that achieve the most results when it comes to integrating fellow countrymen. "We've introduced sport to integrate people who are from Castro Daire and who don't have much interest in traditions. And we also have something that makes us very proud, which is the practice of traditional games."
In the Council House's bar/cafe area, he comments, meals and snacks are served, "which is also a way of connecting to a particular region, through gastronomy".
Luís Esteves assures us that the doors of Casa de Castro Daire are always open to everyone, whether they are from Castro Daire, Lisbon or other regions:
"As long as they come for good reasons, they are always well received".
It is located at Rua do Vale Formoso de Cima, 94, Marvila.