The festival organized by the Quatro Corações Support Association is a charitable event, with proceeds exclusively earmarked to finance and manage the association’s activities, specifically in providing hot meals to those in need.
Over the course of its three editions, more than 780,000 hot meals have been distributed, according to data shared by the president of the Quatro Corações Association’s board in a press release from the municipality of Castelo Branco.
“The Festival + Solidário combines charity with tourism. Besides promoting solidarity since the proceeds are converted into meals, we also promote the entire region by attracting numerous visitors,” said Hélder Martins.
He further noted that the festival involves the collaboration of 350 volunteers and the participation of 20 associations within the Castelo Branco municipality.
The initiative is supported by 150 companies.
In the latest edition in 2024, the event attracted 31,000 attendees, with more than 35% coming from outside the Castelo Branco region.
Patrícia Coelho, councilor of Castelo Branco’s municipal council, mentioned that the municipality has been supporting the Festival Mais Solidário from its inception.
She also acknowledged that the event “allows for the decentralization of summer festivals from the coast to the interior,” emphasizing the importance of bringing more people, particularly young individuals, to low-density areas like Castelo Branco, which boasts various tourist attractions that need to be showcased.
The Mais Solidário festival is also supported by several partners, including the Municipal Council of Castelo Branco, the Centro Portugal Tourism Board, and more than a dozen associations and entities.
