Portalegre, Portugal, Oct. 11, 2024 (Lusa) - Hot air balloons will once again "paint" the skies of the Alentejo, from November 7 to 13, during an international festival that brings together participants from 30 teams from five European countries, the organisers announced on Friday.
The International Hot Air Balloon Festival (FIBAQ), which is returning to Alto Alentejo for the 27th consecutive year, is organised by the company Publibalão, in collaboration with the Alentejo without Borders ballooning club, the organisation said in a statement.
This edition will take place in the municipalities of Alter do Chão, Avis, Fronteira, Monforte and Ponte de Sor, in the district of Portalegre.
The event will be attended by 30 teams from Portugal, Spain, France, Holland and Belgium.
Quoted in the press release, Aníbal Soares, from the organisation, pointed out that FIBAQ aims to "promote the practice of ballooning in Portugal, reinforce the festival's impact on the participating towns and increase the media return for all parties".
"It's an honour to return with this festival to the Alentejo, which has been running for 27 years, and to bring the magic of flying to everyone who wants to have a flying experience," he added.
According to the promoters, visitors can "live the unforgettable experience of flying" in a hot air balloon by purchasing solidarity wristbands. The proceeds will be donated to the volunteer firefighters of the towns participating in the event.
FIBAQ passes through Monforte on 7 November, followed by Fronteira (8 November), Ponte de Sor (9 and 10 November), Alter do Chão (12 November) and the Abreu Callado Foundation in Benavila, in the municipality of Avis (13 November).
On 9 November, at 7.45 p.m., in Ponte de Sor, the "Night Glow" light, colour, and sound show is scheduled. In it, "flames from the hot air balloon burners are released to the rhythm of the music."
Hot air balloon flights will almost always occur twice daily, at 07:00 or 07:30 and 14:00 or 14:30, whenever weather conditions allow.
Considered "one of the biggest and most important festivals in Europe", FIBAQ has partnerships with the town councils of Alter do Chão, Fronteira, Monforte and Ponte de Sor, the Abreu Calado Foundation in the municipality of Avis, and various companies.
The festival, which had its first edition in 1997, served as the basis for the opening, in 2012, of the country's first school for hot air balloon pilots in Fronteira.
SM/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
