A WARRNAMBOOL laneway became a window to a parallel universe on Saturday, giving visitors an insight into what Australia would have been like if it had been discovered by the Portuguese.
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Using the myth of the Mahogany Ship as a springboard, a group of artists presented Viva New Portugal as the latest instalment in F Project’s series of laneway festivals.
Co-organiser Geoff Rollinson said more than 200 people took the stroll down the Whalers-Wines Patisserie laneway off Timor Street to learn more about the fictitious alternate history.
With guides including people dressed as “the spirit of the Mahogany Ship”, former Warrnambool residents and a kangaroo, visitors to the laneway were taken through a “what if” version of our country’s past, depicted through music, art, fiction and poetry.
“The responses ... were very good,” Mr Rollinson said. “People had a good laugh.”
Fishtales and Wines Patisserie sold Portuguese food, enjoyed in a makeshift “piazza” area, with music by duo Grimshaw Miller, Mr Rollinson said.
There was also a fashion parade, as people were encouraged to come dressed in Portuguese or Brazilian-themed clothing.
One of the artworks will stay on display in the laneway.