Fellow travelers, I salute you!
This is the first of our fortnightly newsletter. Welcome! We will choose, for each publication, something about Madeira Islands; we will highlight a specimen of fauna or flora, a monument or other piece of art, an event or spontaneous happening; anything that can delight your eyes , make your imagination flow and open your appetite for a visit.
This week we present you with a Flower Festival's picture.

One can say that the Flower Parade in Madeira is the opening of the high touristic season, a postcard for you to visit us. And during your stay why not seizing the opportunity to learn a bit more about the island and its people? Meeting with Gerónimo is an opportunity to dive into this experience from an educational, captivating, fun and mostly local perspective.
Explore new landscapes, observing native and unique fauna, trekking in Laurissilva - Laurel Forest - UNESCO world Heritage. Delight your eyes with exotics plants flowering in every corner, in public and private gardens which named Madeira as the Pearl of the Atlantic.

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" History and Traditions
Flower Festival History

The Flower Festival dates back to 1954, when the Festival of Roses was held in "Ateneu Comercial of Funchal !venue. Noticing that most islanders grew flowers led to the invitation to exhibit them in an event which ended with prizes being awarded to the best flowers. This exhibition/competition turned out to be a success, which continued under the name of the Flower Festival. In the late 1970s (1979), the Regional Tourism Office took the Flower Festival outdoors, integrating other ceremonials such as the Wall of Hope Ceremony, the Flower Festival Parade, floral competitions, floral window displays and gardens, musical performances and a variety of decorations.

Flower Festival Traditions

The Flower Festival is also a cultural event that intends to show other aspects of Madeira's culture, such as the creation of the beautiful flower carpets and also Madeira's traditional music and dances are presented through the performances by folk groups"
© Madeira Tourism Board in: http://www.visitmadeira.pt/ (...)