The Festival Literário da Gardunha is set to host an array of activities over its four-day duration, featuring writers, essayists, concerts, theater, exhibitions, workshops, storytelling sessions, and poetic street performances.
Among the confirmed authors participating are Isabel Rio Novo, Gonçalo M. Tavares, André Pereira, Madalena Sá Fernandes, Gabriela Relvas, Ana Cristina Silva, Hugo Van Der Ding, David Machado, Rita Sineiro, Maria Antónia Bastos, Bernardo Machado, and Margarida Azevedo.
“Visitors to the Festival Literário da Gardunha can expect a variety of proposals and activities, in addition to experiencing the scenic Gardunha, which has so much to offer,” stated Dina Matos, a member of the organizing team and coordinator of the Biblioteca Municipal Eugénio de Andrade, where some events will take place.
Matos highlighted a significant change in 2024 when the festival shifted its format. Unlike the previous focus on conversations with writers in Fundão, the festival introduced a parallel program across local parishes, branded as the Word Party in Villages (Festa da Palavra nas Aldeias).
“We aimed to alter the format and diversify the audience the festival would reach,” emphasized Dina Matos.
This year, storytellers will visit Alcaria, Capinha, Telhado, Enxames, Fundão, Soalheira, Valverde, Bogas de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima, and Aldeia de Joanes, offering a variety of activities in each location.
Dina Matos explained that activities in the parishes would focus on “traditional tales and words once passed orally, and the stories of the past.”
“This festival is designed for the community of Fundão. It’s not just aimed at one segment of the population. We aim to include everyone, no matter how small the village,” added Dina Matos, noting that the program caters to different age groups.
One of the new events is a workshop on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the Biblioteca Eugénio de Andrade, titled “What I Want to Tell You: Portraits Written on a Typewriter,” where André Pereira will engage with participants for 15 minutes before crafting a poetic portrait.
Also on Saturday, at 2:00 p.m. in the same location, the course “Writing and Imagination” will commence with Gonçalo M. Tavares.
In the morning at 10:00 a.m., Maria Teresa Horta will be honored in “Women in Full,” with Maria Antónia Bastos, Gabriela Relvas, and Ana Cristina Silva at Casino Fundanense.
The festival’s first day features the opening of the Book Fair, the Poetic Street Parade in Fundão’s streets, and meetings with local authors, as well as a discussion titled “Writing and Humor” with Eduardo Madeira and Filipe Homem Fonseca.
On Friday, Rita Sineiro’s book “Filas de sonho” will be presented, and Isabel Rio Novo will discuss “Camões – Poet & Soldier, Man & Myth.”
One of the concert highlights is “Songs to Drink with Pessoa,” featuring Luca Argel and Ana de Deus, on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at Moagem, among other scheduled performances.
The complete program can be found on the social media pages of the Fundão municipality, in the district of Castelo Branco.
