“Two years of significant hardship” were described by actor and group founder Xico Alves concerning the challenges faced by Jangada Teatro.
Two years ago, the group lost its recurring support from the Directorate-General for the Arts (DGArtes) under the four-yearly Program of Sustained Support (2023-2026), which accounted for about 20% of their budget.
This situation forced Jangada Teatro, which currently employs ten people, to seek alternatives, subsequently receiving support from several municipalities in the Tâmega and Sousa regions, particularly Lousada and Penafiel, as well as the Intermunicipal Community.
“Everyone joined forces and purchased shows because they realized this could not come to an end,” stated Alves, emphasizing that it was possible to maintain all jobs.
Producer Ana Luísa Fernandes added that “these protocols helped immensely at a time when Jangada was left without financing.”
The group then diversified their performances in the region, focusing primarily on children, with shows funded by the municipalities.
The Folia International Festival of Performing Arts, organized by the group, saw its program reduced to a minimum in 2024 due to funding constraints, which will not affect the 2025 edition starting on Friday.
This year, however, Jangada Teatro succeeded in DGArtes’ biennial competitions (2025-2026), ensuring investment in the festival’s return to its usual format, featuring around 20 artistic activities, primarily theater, including music and poetry.
The festival, held in the Porto district’s town from April 28 to May 11, will feature various Portuguese and Spanish groups in a program that organizers describe as one of the best ever.
After enduring recent hardships, the group is thriving, with requests for performances coming in from across the country.
Xico Alves expressed appreciation for the recognition that Jangada Teatro has earned, “thanks to the quality of work performed by everyone.”
“I believe we are now a reference group on a national level,” he noted.
Celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the company, Alves reminisces about the beginnings when a challenge was posed for a local municipal project as the construction of the municipal auditorium, now Jangada’s headquarters, was being completed.
“The city council embraced the project enthusiastically, and from then on it was smooth sailing, as the theater group was a breath of fresh air in Lousada and the region,” he exclaimed.
With ten resident professionals, of which four are actors, including two regularly collaborating actresses, Jangada Teatro generally promotes four productions annually, two for adults and two for children, in addition to the two annual festivals: Folia and Foliazinho.
“We work extensively for children. To survive, we cannot focus exclusively on highbrow productions. Fortunately, our shows have been touring the north and center of the country, mainly at the invitation of municipalities,” concluded Alves.
Ana Luísa Fernandes remains optimistic about the future, firmly believing that the group will regain its four-yearly support from DGArtes, with the upcoming call for applications for the 2027-2030 period expected next year.
