With the holiday season in full swing, the Portugal Pavilion is spreading the festive cheer at Expo 2020 Dubai in true Portuguese fashion, with its very own Christmas tree, full of symbolic tradition.

Visitors will see the classic Christmas colours light up the pavilion’s square and a traditional pine tree decorated with more than 500 Portuguese Roosters. Considered a national symbol of faith and good fortune, the Portuguese Rooster, from the city of Barcelos, is based on a famous legend that is rooted in the country’s popular culture.

The pavilion’s Christmas tree is also covered in hundreds of typical ornaments, including swallows, wreaths and hearts, all made of burel wool – a unique fabric from the country’s mountain range of Serra da Estrela.

The initiative was backed by Barcelos City Council, which donated the roosters to the Portuguese Pavilion, as well as the Portuguese textile company Burel Factory.

LEGEND OF THE BARCELOS ROOSTER

The legend tells the story of a pilgrim travelling through Barcelos, who was accused of stealing silver from a landowner and was sentenced to death by hanging. To plead his innocence, he begged the judge to reverse his sentence.

As the judge was about to tuck into a roasted cockerel, the pilgrim vowed that as proof of his innocence the cockerel would stand up on his plate and crow. The judge pushed aside his meal and laughed, but the cockerel miraculously stood up and crowed, leaving the judge in disbelief. He then hurried to the gallows to free the innocent man.

Many years later, the pilgrim returned to Barcelos to carve a statue of the cockerel, where the legend and symbolism lives on until this day.