The agreement between the local authority and the Association Bomu Kêlê, led by the Calema musical group comprised of brothers Fradique and António Mendes Ferreira, will be signed on Saturday. The brothers currently reside in the municipality of Seixal.
The local government states that the Aldeia da Música project aims to promote culture through music, serving as a support and mentorship hub for emerging artists and bands in the Seixal area, located in the Setúbal district. The facility will aid in the recording, production, and editing of musical works.
This multipurpose space, currently under construction, will feature two floors, a recording studio, dressing rooms, writing/creative rooms, production rooms, a bar/lounge, an office area, among other facilities, as well as housing the headquarters for the Associação Bomu Kêlê.
The Calema brothers will invest 140,000 euros to equip the recording studio, which will be available to local young bands, serving as mentors to enhance their potential on the national music scene.
Founded in 2021 by the Mendes Ferreira brothers, known as Calema, the Associação Bomu Kêlê aims to promote education as a tool for empowering children and youth towards a promising future.
“The Seixal municipality has played a significant role in supporting cultural, educational, and social initiatives, developed over the years through effective democratic management, yielding visible results. This municipality is also recognized internationally for being a pioneer in cultural and educational projects,” stated Paulo Silva, president of the Seixal Municipality, in a press release.
In statements to the Lusa news agency, Paulo Silva mentioned that the project, expected to launch in 2026, will enhance the capabilities of local artists and musicians “with the help of two internationally renowned artists,” and will provide an auditorium for bands to perform regularly.
Aldeia da Música is set to be established in the space originally designated for Aldeia do Bombo, a project by the Associação dos Amigos dos Tocá Rufar (ADAT), which revoked the contract in 2024, citing the Seixal municipality’s failure to complete the construction by its April 2022 deadline.
At the time, the Seixal Municipality expressed regret over ADAT’s decision to withdraw from the project, a decision communicated during an emergency meeting called by the municipality, and noted that it was seeking new partners for cultural and educational project developments.
“Given that this is a partnership project between two entities, the withdrawal of one party marks the project’s end, which the Seixal Municipality regrets,” stated the municipality, adding that all infrastructure reverted to the council.
