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Lisbon Fetes 'Saint of Love' With Free Deluxe Weddings

Agence France-Presse

   LISBON - It is Lisbon's wedding of the year. Crowds gather at the
   cathedral, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds as cameras lie in
   wait.

   Suddenly, the organ music grows louder and photographers get into
   position in front of the imposing entrance.

   Then not one, but 11 couples walk out, fresh from tying the knot
   Wednesday in an all-expenses-paid ceremony, the beneficiaries of a
   decades-long annual tradition that fetes the Portuguese capital's
   beloved patron Saint Anthony, matchmaker extraordinaire.

   Financed by sponsors and TV rights, broadcast live on television,
   couples who would not otherwise have the means are gifted a deluxe
   wedding worth 400,000 euros ($450,000).

   Couples like fishmongers Tania Silva and Orlando Antunes, who are
   getting a one-off taste of mega fame on the eve of Saint Anthony day on
   June 13, the high point of days-long street-dancing, sardine-grilling
   festivities in Lisbon.

   "We've been together for nearly 15 years," said Tania, 30.

   "We always joked that we would one day get married for Saint Anthony.
   It's a sumptuous ceremony which we could never afford."

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