SARDINES

Being a bigwig of the Lisbon nobility of the 18th century, he has exquisite taste and language ticks, like “Oh la la!” or “Et, voilá!”, which he is always applying. He organizes the “Salon Musical et Littéraire”, receiving guests while reclined on a bed from the previous century, at the Chambre Bleu of his palace in Belém. Designer: Isabel Colher

The Sardine belongs to the PEOPLE.... As do the memories of our History. In 2012, the Sardine aged and told a story about a feat accomplished with the sails of the Cross of Christ, the Heroes of the Air. Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho greatly contributed to the History of aviation when crossing the South Atlantic by air in 1922. Designer: Miguel Amaral

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 first Sardine was not a laboratory experiment. She didn’t come out ‘all nice and lively’ from some advertising think tank. She jumped from the fish auction onto the scanner and turned into a serious case of communication by an editorial design studio, Silvadesigners. Lisbon offers her the honours of a city trademark and people painting her every year by the thousands. Designer: Silvadesigners

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

A sassy Sardine Bride that celebrates and honours the Brides of Saint Anthony, the “Matchmaker Saint” of Lisbon popular tradition. Designer: Ana Gomes

Designers: Ana Gomes and Isabel Colher

Designer: Paulo Galindro

Because it is of the Portuguese, father of broad seas, to want, to be able to simply:be nothing. And be someone in a sea of people. Be a person. Flood. Dry out. Cry. Float. Come up and dive in again. Be fished. Be gutted and survive: the whole sea, or the empty destroyed waterfront – The whole, or its nothing (In D. João Infante de Portugal, Message, Fernando Pessoa). Designer: Maria Miguel

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

Rendez-vous in Paris, Pont des arts, 16h13, the wind blows gently… Designer:Rebecca Dautremer

Rendez-vous in Paris, Pont des arts, 16h24, the sky becomes overcast… Designer:Rebecca Dautremer

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

Inspired by the love verses that the girls of the Minho region embroidered on handkerchiefs for their boyfriends, this sardine represents the promise of endless love. The Sweetheart Handkerchiefs are recognised by their strong colours, love symbols and spelling errors. It was a romantic allurement ritual where the sewing needles were the keyboard at that time. Designer: Oupas! Design

Designer: Rebecca Dautremer

Patron symbol of Lisbon, St. Anthony brings in the lap the Child Jesus and bless marriages. Offers to the city a traditional party without rival, in which joy is adorned with sweet basil and the greatest figure is His Highness Dona Sardinha. Designer: Ana Gil e António Caetanio