Portugal’s Christmas tree at Expo 2020 Dubai is full of national references

The pine tree has 500 Barcelos roosters, several swallows and wreaths. It’s a mix of grandeur and bimbalheira.

More Portuguese is impossible.

The Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai should be a kind of postcard of everything that exists in our country, from food to products related to our culture. But, as NiT testified live, it’s a real let down. Now, in a new attempt to reflect our greatest symbols, a Christmas tree has been set up to decorate the outer space.

Among the various decorations found, for example, the famous Galo de Barcelos. In fact, this very Portuguese symbol is present 500 times, contrasting with the green of the pine tree. In addition, the tree in the Pavilhão de Portugal is also covered with a hundred traditional decorations, including swallows, wreaths and hearts, all made in burel – a unique wool fabric, considered an industrial heritage of the Serra da Estrela region.

The initiative had the support of the City Council of Barcelos – which donated it to the Pavilion of Portugal dos Galos de Barcelos – as well as the Portuguese textile company Fábrica de Burel.