APRIL FOOL'S DAY IN MADEIRA!
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Attention!
If you just landed in Madeira today - April 1 - and someone tells you that Cristiano Ronaldo has opened a banana chip factory in Madeira - you better be sure! Dia da Mentira , or Portuguese April Fools' Day, is the day when everyone is allowed to fool you - with a smile on their face, of course! It's a time when the local media publishes absurd news stories, neighbors get caught up in jokes, the waiter at a restaurant may serve you an "invisible dish" and pretend that everything is fine. And even a local guide can convince you that the volcanic rock you're standing on is just starting to come to life. If you want to find out where this holiday came from and what pranks you might encounter in Madeira, and how to screw someone in style yourself - read on! And if you don't make it to the end... well, you'd better check if you accidentally ordered coffee without a cup!
Where did it come from April Fools' Day?
April Fools' Day, is celebrated - as in many other countries - on April 1. Its roots go back to the 16th century in France, where a section of the population refused to accept the calendar change introduced by King Charles IX. Previously, the New Year was celebrated around April 1, but after the reform of the Gregorian calendar, the beginning of the year was moved to January 1. People who continued to celebrate the New Year according to the old order were the object of jokes and were called "April Fools" (poisson d'avril), which gave rise to the tradition of playing pranks on each other. however, the tradition also has older roots - similar customs can be found in ancient Rome during the festival of Hilária, celebrated on March 25, and in India, where the festival of Holi ends on March 31. The common element of these festivals was joy, laughter and fun.
How is April Fools' Day celebrated in Madeira?
In Madeira, where people have a naturally cheerful and open disposition, April Fools' Day is part of a culture of laughter and friendliness. This holiday emphasizes the self-distance and sense of humor that are characteristic of the island's people. Madeerians approach the holiday with humor, lightheartedness and creativity. Here are some of the traditional ways they celebrate the day:
1. Pranks and mystifications - People play innocent pranks on each other, often making up absurd stories and spreading them on social media or in local newspapers, while street performers play humorous scenes, involving tourists;
2. Fake news in the media - Local newspapers, television and online portals publish fake news that at first glance seems plausible, only to be later exposed as a primaaprilis prank;
3. Pranks in schools and families - Children play pranks on teachers and parents, while adults play pranks on loved ones. Popular activities include swapping sugar for salt or misleading people about their plans for the day, or convincing someone that they just won a free trip to Porto Santo;
4. Parties and social gatherings - Local bars and restaurants hold Lying Day events, encouraging guests to take part in fun challenges and tell jokes. You might get an empty plate instead of the dessert you ordered, or hear that prices have gone up fivefold - just for a moment, of course!
Famous April Fool's pranks in Madeira
Over the years, Maderians have surprised with many creative pranks. Here are some of the most memorable:
1. Primaaprilis "employment" (2022) - Some companies are announcing "recruitments" for unusual positions, e.g.: there was a job ad for a "professional poncha taster" to test different versions of the drink in local bars. Eager people were really sending in their resumes!
2. tunnel to Porto Santo (2021) - Local media reported that secret work was underway on an undersea tunnel that would allow people to get from Funchal to Porto Santo in just 15 minutes. The information sparked a wave of excitement and heated discussion on social media - until it was revealed that it was an April Fool's joke!;
3. "Aeroporto da Poncha" Airport (2021) - After the airport was officially renamed "Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo" in 2017, it was reported in 2021 that the new name was "Aeroporto da Poncha" to honor the most famous local drink. Although it was just an April Fool's Day hoax, the idea became so popular that some suggested holding a real referendum!
4. a new variety of bananas (2020) - Local newspapers announced that scientists had discovered a blue variety of bananas growing only in Madeira. The photos of the fruit were, of course, graphically processed, but some locals, as well as tourists, later asked in stores where they could buy them?
5. Snow on Pico do Arieiro (2019) - One TV station announced that snow had fallen on the highest peaks of Madeira. Many locals believed it and some actually went there to see it!
6. volcanic eruption in the Desertas (2018) - A radio station announced that there was an unexpected eruption on one of the Desertas islands of a volcano that had allegedly remained dormant for thousands of years. Allegedly, the Coast Guard had closed the area, and scientists were on their way to the island. People began to panic and share the "information" - until they found out it was fiction;
7. Disappearance of Cristiano Ronaldo statue (2017) - Rumor had it that the Cristiano Ronaldo statue at Funchal airport had been stolen. Photos of the empty pedestal quickly spread online before it was revealed that it was photoshopped and a joke for April Fools' Day;
8. Banning poncha for tourists (2015) - A popular bar in Câmara de Lobos announced that starting in May, tourists are not allowed to order the traditional poncha, as its original recipe is "reserved" for locals only. Apparently, foreigners were only supposed to get the "tourist version" of the drink. The joke sparked a wave of outrage and laughter, with many tourists asking if it was true?
What should a tourist visiting Madeira on April 1 know?
If you are coming to the island on this day, be prepared for funny surprises. Joy, laughter and lots of jokes await you, but provided you keep your distance, but also that not everything you hear that day will be true! Here are the key things to know:
- Don't believe everything you hear!
- If someone suddenly tells you that Madeira has introduced a new tourist tax on "breathing fresh air," check to make sure it's not a joke! The media, both official and social media, often publish fake news - from "strange" weather forecasts to absurd changes in the law;
- Be ready for pranks - Both in restaurants and hotels you may encounter little surprises. In restaurants, waiters may serve your order with an "extra surprise" - such as a cup of coffee without coffee, before bursting out laughing and wishing you "Feliz Dia da Mentira!";
- Join in the fun! If someone pulls a prank on you, don't be offended - in Madeira, April Fools' Day is an occasion to laugh, not pinch yourself. Madeerians don't make malicious jokes - their pranks are light, funny and not meant to humiliate anyone. Even if you're fooled, treat it with detachment and laughter - it's part of the local atmosphere;
- Beware of "fake" promotions - Some bars and restaurants hold themed events, such as contests for the best April Fool's prank or happy hour, where prices are a "secret." - sometimes lower, sometimes higher!
- Watch out for local "information" - If something sounds too shocking to be true - Check the date of publication.
Dia da Mentira in Madeira is a tone-only day of pranks - it's a true festival of humor and creativity, where locals engage tourists and each other in unforgettable pranks with a smile on their lips. It's a holiday where absurdity meets tradition, and every false information and unexpected event becomes an excuse for shared joy. Madeerians, known for their detachment from life, transform the day into a feast of laughter - from unexpected media announcements to creative pranks in restaurants to spontaneous performances by street performers. For you, it's the perfect opportunity to feel the pulse of the island, experience local hospitality and immerse yourself in an atmosphere where every surprise has its own unique charm. By embracing jokes with humor, everyone can become part of this extraordinary tradition that transforms an ordinary day into a story full of laughter, warmth and lightness. Welcome to Madeira! Take advantage of our services - we promise not to throw you a fake ticket for a cruise to Atlantis or make you climb Pico Ruivo in flip-flops! With us, every experience is genuine, every trip unforgettable, and the only joke you'll get is the one you'll hear from your guide Alex.
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