The following interview is reprinted, in slightly abridged form, from EVANA (European Vegetarian and Animal News Alliance): www.evana.org

(BTW, EVANA is looking for correspondents and translators worldwide.)

Another proof of the increased importance of a vegetarian lifestyle was the great success of the “International Vegetarian Week 2009” in which non-governmental organisations (NGO) from many countries were involved. We wanted to know more about the meatless week and asked Mateus Mendes of the Portuguese Vegetarian Center who is promoting it so very successfully.

EVANA: Mateus, you must be very pleased with the success of the “International Vegetarian Week 2009”. Did you expect this great international interest?

Mateus Mendes: Sure I'm very pleased. It's quite rewarding to see things working. When it all started I expected some response but definitely things turned out to be much better than I thought.

EVANA: What is the aim of the Vegetarian Week?

the complete interview: http://www.evana.org/index.php?id=51935&lang=en