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It was just an anonymous and pale Sardine. It sought colour and participated in the “Festas de Lisboa” (Lisbon Festivities). As the event’s icon, it deserved a monumental illustration. So, I tried to create a symbiosis between the sardine and the Santa Justa Elevator. The Santa Justa Sardine, once anonymous and pale, now parades in colour and tradition. Designer: Frederico Lencastre

The sardine, with its silvery blue and black hues, darker on the back and lighter on the sides and belly, is found in the northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, where it dwells on coastal areas, between 25 and 100 meters deep. It undertakes migrations in large shoals that protect fish from predators during the day, in deeper waters, and move at night-time to shallower waters to feed on algae and small crustaceans. It reproduces from October to April, a time when sardines are leaner and not so tasty. The sardine is the most popular fish in summer festivals and fairs in Portugal, as well as the main species used in the Portuguese canning industry.

The Tagus Sardine has the best view of Lisbon. From the river she sees the people, the roofs and the Castle; she sees the bridge and the boats, and the departures and returns that make the city live. She is a lucky Sardine – and, as Amália used to say, She has water, she knows how to swim / I wish I were a sardine. Designer: Sofia Fischer

The Tenório Sardine is a true portent of the Portuguese guitar. Known in the most exclusive world of Fado for being a bon vivant, irresistibly seductive and a confessed lover of the nightlife and “escabeche” (pickle), Tenório oozes charm through all of his scales. And no gilt-head bream, mullet or ray can resist his charms. Designer: Paulo Galindro

The High Tide Sardine is an allusion to deep sea fishing, symbolizing both the lull and the storm that diminishes us. The whole of the sea inside of a sardine. Designer: Filipa Oliveira

Zé Povinho is now a superhero. After having courageously faced the austerity policies, the interference of Troika and the corruption scandals, behold our Zé is still standing. Standing tall, he shows courage and perseverance and is ready to face all tempests with a sole purpose: to succeed. Super Zé, who is alive inside each one of us, resists, persists and never gives up. Designer: Ana Gomes

Inspired by the street vendors of the popular roasted chestnuts, this sardine, still sizzling, is made of tradition, filled with flavour and taste for what is ours. Designer: Rui Fazenda

The Constellation sardine
Has the soul of an artist
Has the guts
Optimistic Salero;
Boasting cheerful bright colours
Wandering across Lisbon
In love with such beautiful light
That echoes throughout the city Designer: José Serrano

“O Grande Cão da Finança” (the Big Dog of Finance) was on the cover of the magazine “A Paródia “, in 1900, and it caricatures the finances wearing the collar of the deficit. “No matter how many cakes they gave it; the damn dog won’t die!”. It is the result of the despair that Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro begins to feel in the face of political manipulation and opportunism, raising the awareness of the society at the time. Never goes out of style. Designer: Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro

It’s called “Freedom” because it was inspired by the Carnation Revolution. The character of Salgueiro Maia, emblematic character of the 25th of April, was used as the basis for representing this member of the armed forces. Red carnation Sardine, symbol of the peaceful revolution. Designer: Patrícia Cardoso

We can call it a tribute to the Sanctuary of Fatima, which annually welcomes pilgrims from all over the world, on a pilgrimage to express their faith and belief in the place of the apparition of Our Lady to the three Shepherd children: Francisco, Jacinta and Lúcia. A holy sardine! Designer: Patrícia Pereira

“Vader” sardine would like to be a master of the force over the mind. Fan of one of the most charismatic characters of science fiction, whenever it can, it wears its disguise to fight against barbecues, sardine parties and other parties where it always ends up in corn bread... or on a plate! A sardine which wields the dark side of the force! Designer: Ana Gomes