While today is not an official bank holiday it is a long held celebration in Portugal and many services and amenities will be closed as civil servants have been given the day off, as have many other employees.

It’s also Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, observed in many Christian countries and also known as Pancake Day.

Many of the traditional parades have been cancelled this year due to Covid-19 restrictions, however smaller celebrations and digital events are taking place across the country.