TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Jessie … Funchal kiddies carnival from last Friday
Front Page News : source : Diário de Notícias 24/2/2009
The Diário refers to Tuesday’s ‘trapalhão’ free-for-all parade as the ‘Satire Parade’ (that was the word I wanted yesterday but couldn’t think of). Full of political and social criticism in the costumes and props of the two thousand participants. Cristiano Ronaldo, José Sócrates, Alberto João Jardim were among the favourites portrayed (though I also noted many Barack Obamas), and one ‘float’ also enacted a marriage between the two Portuguese politicians. One thing I didn’t realise was that this year the parade was open to tourists, though quite how they would have stopped them in the past is beyond me. Some tourists did join in, as I saw them interviewed on TV. Tourism came off quite well during the carnival season, with a hotel occupancy rate of 74%.
‘Senhora do Mar’, or in English ‘Lady of the Sea’, the Portuguese entry into last years Eurovision Song Contest, sung by Madeira’s favourite daughter Vânia Fernandes, has been voted the best ever piece in the song festivals. Vânia claims to be surprised by the distinction, and the writer of the song says its success was purely down to Vânia. I presume it was a vote only in Portugal, but even so I would agree with the decision, with an interpretation by Vânia that send shivers down ones spine. On the other hand, it is the only song in this category that I know!
The story from a week or so ago about the conflict of interests of a councillor of CMF (Funchal Câmara) who was also a lawyer representing the development plans for the new Savoy Hotel, has raised it’s head again, as a judge and the Bar association chip in on the matter of professional standards. Apparently this is not the first time that this lawyer has caused controversy, at he did a similar thing in a project linked to the University of Madeira.
According to a report from the Bank of Portugal, Madeirans are the best when it comes to avoiding bad debt, and are the best customers of the banks. In fact to quote the article on repayments of debt “it shows that Madeiran customers are the most compliant in the country, and that the crisis has not in fact reached the family budget. Furthermore, the Madeirans – citizens and businesses – are generating more wealth and consequent savings.” Madeirans only represent 2.3% of the total population of Portugal, yet the deposits made represent 4% of the total in the economy, showing an anomaly that makes Madeira the sixth region in the league table of the biggest depositors. One of the reasons for these clearly distorted statistics and inaccurate assessments on the financial affairs of Madeirans, is the savings and deposits from immigrants, that were up 14.3% on the previous year. How can the Bank of Portugal make such an inaccurate interpretation of Madeiran finances? Perhaps the president of the Câmara of Calheta has a seat on the board?
‘Reduction in vacancies for foreigners worries immigrants living on Madeira’ – Ukrainians have asked for their embassy to intervene, and Africans voice their displeasure about the situation. The call to give local jobs to Madeirans, combined with a large influx of non-europeans (four thousand in 2007), and the closing of many businesses is causing great concern. Referring to President Jardim’s speech on keeping jobs for Madeirans, a Ukrainian spokesman says he does not know whether this will contribute to an increase in discrimination and xenophobia on Madeira, but he is certain that pockets of discrimination already exist, mentioning cases with the police. Aside from more recent ‘suggestions’, in 2005 Jardim went public in saying that Chinese and Indian traders were not welcome on Madeira as they created unfair competition for Madeiran entrepreneurs. Recent statistics on immigrants living on Madeira are not available, but in 2007 the figure was 7,242, or 1.65% of the population, with more recent statistics coming available next month.
The long awaited confrontation between Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and José Mourinho in the champions league fixture Tuesday may have fizzled out into a goalless draw, but CR won the main honours of the day when he was named ‘man of the match’.
Other News :
The cable car at Garajau now has an operating licence, two years after it’s inauguration, and nearly one year after grinding to a halt after storm damage.
The European Commission yesterday gave it’s endorsement to a package of budgeted measures submitted by the Portuguese government, aimed at boosting a flagging economy. It has also agreed not to take action against Portugal for an ‘excessive deficit’.
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I think the police here are great … but why am I mentioning it? There was a response to an old blog yesterday, that made me think about the policing here. I will reproduce it, along with the original news clip, tomorrow, and maybe we can have a bit of a laugh too!
Aside from your valued blog responses (you can reply direct using the form at the bottom of each blog comments page), please send any unreported Madeira news, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!
well I suppose the welcome rise in temperature had to have some sort of trade off … I sit here typing and looking out at heavy rain and the sound of thunder.
If anyone is interested we have live music here in Rib. Bra. on Friday night at the O Patio restuarant (in the gardens of the Cancio Hotel). I saw the guy practicing last night and he is very talented. He said it was an 8pm start.
–Der
Yes the weather is wet cold and miserable, i have cold and cough again, is it ever going to warm up…
–Tobi
The temp in Funchal dropped to 13 degrees at around noon today, what is going on, Tropical island my A%$#.
Right, wellies Check, umbrella Check, Scarf Check, Hat Check, come on Alfie walkies…….
–Tobi
Hi Der
What a day, grey as grey can be.
Sorry I didn't send many photos of the free-for-all parade on Tuesday.
The Diário got it right. We found it quite dark in attitude with lots of horror/rubber masks and there was very little music. At time it was like a parade of the living dead. It is the ONLY parade on Madeira that I would not attend again.
Don't get me wrong it was a great family day out with lots of little tots in costume and whole families having a day out in the sun. There where lots of teenagers about, in and out of fancy dress but they all behave impeccably as usual. I can't think of any event that I have ever attended in UK with such a mix of ages and backgrounds, the UK could learn Sooo much.
I think that the parade needed more floats with music and a ban on rubber masks would help as well.
What did anyone else think who attended on Tuesday?
Cheers
Alan F
Hay Tobi
Go get lots of Ponch and hot water it's way better than Lemsip
Brrrrrrrrr this is all globel warming effects
Cheers Alan, sounds like a good idea…
–Tobi
Der, you might be interested to know, or maybe not, that Dr. Albero Joao Jardin merits a critical look in Private Eye.
Issue No.1230 covering 20 Feb to 5 March 2009, page 17 R/H column.
It explores Jardim's "Model Democracy" and compares the similarities he has with Robert Mugabe and Colonel Gadaffi.
It explores his career pre revolution.
It attempts to explain what Jardin calls his 'superior people' and the 'satanic triangle' between what passes for an opposition, the 'independent' press and the English, who long ago controlled the Madeiran economy.
It has a go with the relationship the Social Democratic Party has with it's general secretary Jaime Ramos, who is a major shareholder in Madeira's cement firm, and treasurer of the party which owns outright 40 or so buildings on the Island, used as party offices and conference centres. This foundation also owns, it is said, land in the mountains used for landfill and being converted to a space to hold, er, political rallies.
It explores the funding of 'Jornal' via goverment department advertising in order to undercut the opposition newspapers.
Carvaco Silva the Portuguese president was warned by Bertie not to visit the Madeiran parliament when he visited last year because it was 'filled with lunatics'.
The column is worth consideration and a copy sought.
World fame at last for Bertie!!!
He's in Private Eye reserved for the most infamous!!
–Martin
Alan I used to swear by the poncha but have tried it 3 times over the last week to no avail. I think the current cold virus going around is a particularly nasty one, I guess its a bit like pests getting used to the pesticides etc.
Tobi I am sorry to hear you are poorly again and hope you will be on the mend soon but I have had it a full week now and John is well into the second week.
–Elaine
Hi Elaine, Hope you both feel better soon, with a day like today im glad im ill and tucked up in doors.
–Tobi
Elaine, sorry to hear that you are feeling so rough & Tobi hope you will feel better soon.
Changing the subject does anyone do craft work, I am selling of craft things now too as I no longer make cards and have parabens peels offs and sticky pads – if interested please email me at english-teacher@hotmail.co.uk
–Sarah
Martin, I can barely believe that Bertie has made an appearance in Private Eye, and is now world famous. I now feel vindicated in front of those who feel I unjustifiably pick on our fine president. Any chance you can scan the full article for me so I can put a 'blog perspective' on what outsiders see here in our model democracy, or is it findable online?
–Der
I know a good remedy for a shorter cold. just gargel with mouth wash twice a day …..it does help
I know a good remedy for a shorter cold. just gargel with mouth wash twice a day …..it does help
hey there did anyone use my remedy ….I gargel twice \ day and I have not caught a cold this winter
hey there did anyone use my remedy ….I gargel twice \ day and I have not caught a cold this winter