The Giacometti Festival, themed “Voice and Polyphony,” commences at 4 PM with traditional percussion performances by Zés-Pereira of Bravães, utilizing instruments like drums and snares. This was announced today in Lisbon.
The official opening ceremony starts an hour later, followed by a performance from Sopa de Pedra, an all-women polyphonic singing group performing a cappella traditional songs.
The afternoon’s events include more performances by Zés-Pereira of Bravães, an exhibition on “Corsica and Corsican Polyphony” at the Municipal Museum, and a joint show by Sopa de Pedra and the band Retimbrar, which draws inspiration from Portuguese traditional songs, rhythms, and musical instruments.
In the evening, DJ Gaiteirinho will perform alongside the Tradballs collective at the Dance Stage, located in the associations and food stalls area.
On the festival’s second day, the morning begins with two walks: a hike from Ferreira do Alentejo to Peroguarda and a visit to the local cemetery where Michel Giacometti is buried.
Another performance by Zés-Pereira of Bravães will occur mid-morning.
The afternoon features a concert by Quatro ao Sul with local choral groups, a conference on “Polyphony, Women’s Voices,” and performances from the Caretos de Podence, a group known for their masked characters depicting diabolic and mysterious images. This group from Macedo de Cavaleiros was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2019.
The evening highlights a performance by Teresa Salgueiro, renowned as the lead singer of Madredeus, who will be joined by singer Isabel Silvestre and the female group Vozes de Manhouce. DJ Gaiteirinho will once again provide music and dance entertainment.
The morning of August 8 features a children’s concert by Taleguinho, a musical project by Catarina Moura, and a “women’s voices polyphony” workshop. The afternoon includes the screening of the film “A Música Portuguesa a Gostar Dela Própria” by Tiago Pereira and a performance by Isabel Silvestre with Vozes de Manhouce, Quatro ao Sul, and Os Boinas.
The festival concludes with performances from Italian singer and researcher Maria Moramarco, known for her work in preserving traditional music from the Puglia region, and Senegalese musician, composer, and singer Momi Maiga, known for blending West African traditional music with genres like flamenco.
Throughout the day, additional performances by Zés-Pereira of Bravães will take place.
Organized by the Ferreira do Alentejo Municipal Chamber, the Giacometti Festival was established in 2018 to honor the legacy of Michel Giacometti, a renowned ethnologist born in Ajaccio, Corsica, who contributed significantly to the preservation of Portuguese culture.
The festival celebrates his strong connection to Ferreira do Alentejo, where, in 1968, Giacometti conducted extensive research related to the “cante” in Peroguarda, Ferreira, and Figueira dos Cavaleiros.
“The deep bond he formed with the local community, especially in Peroguarda, where he developed many friendships, led him to choose this small, white village as his final resting place.”
