It was built about 80 years ago to make beer. Now, it will produce musical bands and a lot of culture. The former Portugália Beer Factory, in Vila-Adentro de Faro, will host the Associação Recreativa e Cultural de Músicos (ARCM), an association that is about to be homeless. A temporary solution, but one that prevents the «Musicians» from having to suspend their activity until they manage to build a new headquarters from scratch.
The space cleanup is expected to start as early as December and the move will start early next year, in order to give ARCM time to shift the much material it has and move it into the new space. «We have already agreed with the landlords that by midnight on March 31, 2014, we have to hand over the key», revealed the president of ARCM Armindo Silva to Rádio Universitária do Algarve RUA FM (102.7 FM) and to Sul Informação.
Taking this into account, the Chamber of Faro came forward with this solution, which solves a major problem for ARCM. Despite already having land, also provided by the municipality and some material, the «Musicians» are still far from having all the conditions for the rapid construction of a building that could guarantee that the many bands that rehearse in their facilities would not remain no alternative.
«The Association of Musicians has always done a work that should be praised and publicized, which is a reference at the national level, for the perseverance they have had in working with young people», considered the vice-president of the Chamber of Faro Paul Santos.
“Now, they will occupy an emblematic space in the city, which could even mark a turning point in the relationship between the City Council and the associations. ARCM will occupy part of Fábrica da Cerveja, but this measure could be extended to other associations», said the mayor.
"That dynamic space with other characteristics can serve, not only for the work that the Association of Musicians develops on a daily basis, but also to build bridges and partnerships with other communities, something they do permanently and for which they are a good example», concluded Paulo Santos.
ARCM's current headquarters has 18 rehearsal rooms, which allow more than 30 bands to rehearse and evolve. It also has a recording studio and a space to host large-scale events.
Valences that are the result of the work of ARCM's partners, responsible for a series of improvements made in the warehouses that they will occupy until March. A place that, therefore, is special and that marks the history of the association, now 23 years old.
«We want to have the birthday parties, the association and the headquarters (16 February and 10 March), at the current headquarters, as a farewell. Then, around April or May, start with the regular activity at the Factory. But the bands have to change first», said Armindo Silva.
“We received this news with enthusiasm and joy. We had no alternative for when the end point was placed, on March 31st, and we did. President Bacalhau and councilor Paulo Santos told us that we could go there, provisionally, until we resolved the situation at the new headquarters. But let's speed things up on the other side», revealed Armindo Silva.
“Now, we know that bands won't have to stop and can continue the projects they have. This for us is the most important thing», he added.
The former factory in Portugália, which was built in the 30s of the XNUMXth century, has already been put up for sale at Public Auction by the City Council, but there have never been any proposals to buy it. The sale of the space is still on the table, if interested parties come up with a proposal at the level of the municipality's expectations, but until then, the music will bring it to life.
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