Isilda Gomes, mayor of Portimão, did not hesitate to speak of a «magic number» when referring to the nearly 500 events that, in the municipality, are promoted only in the first half of 2015. It was in the presentation of the sociocultural and sporting agenda that took place on Friday, at the Municipal Theater of Portimão (Tempo), in front of many of the promoters, including technicians and municipal officials and leaders of associations and companies.
"When you live in a municipality with the problems of Portimão, what is least expected is for there to be strong cultural and sporting entertainment", admitted the mayor, and then highlighted the efforts of all services and equipment linked to the Municipality – Theater, Museum, Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes, Quinta Pedagógica – but also “the work and effort of associations and communities, the music school, all schools, choral and theater groups”.
With regard to the resources of the municipality itself, he highlighted “the work of many people, many technicians, who, in a selfless, efficient and effective way, make Culture happen”.
"In a tourist municipality par excellence, Culture has to play a very important role in attracting tourists," underlined the mayor, highlighting "the partnerships" and the "availability of people from Portimo and cultural agents" in the municipality. And he praised the support given by the council's hotel and catering business, recalling that «the overnight stays and food of the artists who come here are on account of the Portimão Tourism Association (ATP)», which brings together those businessmen.
Isilda Gomes, returning to the numbers, announced that, in these first six months of the year, there will be «200 initiatives to train audiences, in schools, associations, in our equipment». The fact is that, he stressed, "a child who is born doesn't like opera, but if we teach him to listen to opera, in a few years he will be the audience for these shows, he will be a consumer of culture."
And what events will there be, then, in this first half of 2015? After the shows and other cultural and sporting events that have already taken place in these almost two months that the year has already been going on, the first highlight goes to the Young March, which involves «10 thousand young people, 73 activities and 41 institutions, including associations, clubs and municipal entities”.
But, still this month of February, on the 27th, at 18 pm, the cycle of conferences «Há (À) Conversa Com…», will bring State Councilor Alfredo Bruto da Costa to Café Concerto do Tempo, who will talk about poverty in Portugal. The next guest of this cycle will be Frei Bento Domingues.
Na Easter Holiday, from the 26th of March to the 5th of April, the Gastronomy Week of the Center of Portimão returns. Helder Caetano, a member of the Go Portimão association, which he organizes together with the ATP, explained that this is a way for "traders to try to do something for those who are still resisting in the center of Portimão."
This Gastronomic Week, taking place at participating restaurants, will have as invited entities the Confraria do Medronho de Monchique and the Boa Esperança Dance School.
"This week is one more way for us to recover and enhance our gastronomic heritage," said Helder Caetano, calling on all people from Portimo, "and not just outsiders," to participate.
Also at Easter time, Praia da Rocha will host the XXIV Gata na Praia, which will bring 400 students from the University of Minho for a different vacation.
Still in March, on the first Saturday, the 7th, Tempo will stage a show by the Legendary Tigerman, who will present the album «True».
On the 11th, 17th and 18th, there will be a Paralympic Day at School, organized by the Poeta António Aleixo Schools Group. Telmo Martins, a teacher at these schools, explained that the initiative aims to "show how those people who have limits can achieve unlimited dreams."
From the 20th to the 26th of March, it will be the turn of the IV Cidade de Portimão Percussion Festival, promoted by the Joly Braga Santos Conservatory. According to a responsible for the institution, the opening concert will bring to the Algarve «great names of jazz», such as Jeffrey Davis (vibraphone) and Michael Lauren (drums). But the program promises much more.
Em April, on the 18th, it will be the turn of the dance show «Aristides», by Quorum Ballet, a company that is almost resident in Portimão, such is the empathy created with the city's audience.
In April, on the weekend of the 24th to the 26th, the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve will host the FIM CEV Repsol International Championship (24-26 April) which, having made its debut on the Algarve circuit last year, is now visiting it for the second time.
Paulo Pinheiro, director of the Autódromo, explained that it is the « Junior World Championship » and, therefore, an event of great international prominence.
The very next month, 8-10 May, there will be a weekend filled with emotion with the debut of the TCR International Series. “It was very difficult to bring this race to Portimão, but we did it”, he stressed.
but it will be in June that the Algarve circuit will host what is «the most important motorsports competition in the country: the Superbike race», scheduled for June 5th to 7th.
Paulo Pinheiro stressed that the organization of the FIM Superbike World Championship, the Superbike World Championship, «canceled the competition in Russia, but kept the one in the Algarve», demonstrating the international appreciation for the Algarve circuit.
The manager also added that, throughout the year, in addition to the competitions, there are "many presentations of new models and brands", such as the Mercedes MGM or Porsche Cayman, events that bring "a lot of people, a lot of money and a lot of media exposure" the region. But, he warned, "without races there are no events, and without events there is no financial return."
At this moment, stressed Paulo Pinheiro, «we are suffering from strong competition from the countries of East and Asia, but we have managed to maintain important races at the Autódromo do Algarve». However, he lamented, «we lack the support and affection of the people of Portimão», since the competitions, as important as they are, always have little public in the region, which has negative effects on the circuit's image. "Come to the Autodromo, watch the races," he urged.
Em May, the highlight goes to the second edition of the Lota Cool Market, scheduled for the 23rd, once again on the riverside of the city, next to the old auction and the old bridge. Diana Condesso, organizer of the event, explained that it arises from the fact that “something is missing cool in Portimão”, with the support of the Teia de Impulsos association.
"This is an event for people from here, for the people of Portimo and the Algarve, so the date is in May, not in the summer. We intend this to be a great event, a reference for the whole country", he explained, during the presentation of the events calendar.
At Lota Cool Market, the word will be given to creators, to music, to food and drinks, in a sunset market. “I might be able to bring here a big name. I'm working on it», concluded Diana Countess.
Also in May, the 4th Mostra Gastronómica da Sardinha will be held at the beach restaurants in Praia da Rocha. According to Ricardo Viegas, businessman and director of Associação Turismo de Portimão, «sardines are a product of the land and lend themselves to many different dishes». That's exactly what can be discovered, over the course of ten days, between the 22nd and 31st of May. “This is an event for tourists, but also for the people of the land”, he stressed.
The month of May is also the anniversary of the Portimão Museum. Therefore, from the 18th to the 23rd of May, there will be many activities to mark its 7th anniversary, with emphasis on the inauguration of two exhibitions produced by the Museum team and another edition of the Photographic Race.
In June, between 12 and 14, the Arade estuary and the area bordering Praia da Rocha will also host the National Adapted Sailing Championship. Luís Matos, member of the board of the Teia d'Impulsos association, which organizes the competition, highlighted the bet that has been made in the sport: «we have six athletes practicing adapted sailing, one of them, João Pinto, is even national champion for two years consecutive'.
«We had this impulse to bring to Portimão, for the first time, this National Championship. Eight national teams will be here, six from mainland Portugal, one from Madeira and the other from the Azores, totaling 30 athletes and 80 volunteers», concluded Luís Matos.
In conclusion, councilor Ana Figueiredo underlined: "this executive has wanted Culture to happen, even in adverse times."
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
February:
February 28
Identity theft
of Luís-Franco-Bastos
Large Auditorium of TIME
February 27
In conversation with…
Alfredo Bruto da Costa
TEMPO – Municipal Theater of Portimão
March
March Young
THEATER – SPORTS – DANCE – MUSIC – CINEMA
Multiple Locations
>>1st March Young Trades Fair
>>Woman Surfing Day
>>Young Pianists Recital
>>Open Day Gil Eanes Professional School
>>Youth Yoga and Meditation Classes
>>Vive(iro) – Meeting point for music and video art projects
March 11th, 17th and 18th
Paralympic Day at School
Sec. Poet António Aleixo School
7 March
True, The Legendary Tigerman
Large Auditorium of TIME
March 14nd and 15rd
Portugal BMX Cup (1st and 2nd stage)
Youth Park
14 March
The factory
Large Auditorium of TIME
20th to 26th March
IV City of Portimão Percussion Festival
Large Auditorium of TIME
>>Jazz Night Opening Concert – with Jeffrey Davis, Michael Lauren, Nelson Cascais and Luís Miguel
>>Masterclasses and workshop
>>Closing Concert
21 March
1st ADJA Judo Tournament and Regional Judo Championship
Montes de Alvor Sports Pavilion
21 March
Spring Boogie 2015
Skydiving (until April 12th)
Portimão Municipal Aerodrome
21 March
Regional BMX Freestyle Championship
Youth Park
March 21th to 22th
Mega Fun Day
Portimao Arena
March 26th to April 5th
Gastronomic Week of Portimão
Adherent establishments
27 March
In conversation with…
Friar Bento Domingues
TIME's Small Auditorium
28 March
XXIV Cat on the Beach
Tivoli Marina Hotel - Praia da Rocha
On display
Portuguese Magazine “Portugal Wonderland”
Good Hope Club
April
2 April
Coimbra Old Guard
Coimbra Fado Group
Large Auditorium of TIME
Until April 5th
Easter Celebrations
eastern
Portimão
11 April
timely
Portimao Arena
April 9th, 10th and 11th
Dialogues
Large Auditorium of TIME
18 April
Aristides
by Quorum Ballet
Large Auditorium of TIME
18 April
Meeting of Students of Religion and Morals in the Algarve
Portimao Arena
24 to April 26
END CEV Repsol do Algarve
Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
20 to April 25
3rd Fair There are Books at the Market Av. São João Deus
Market Av. São João Deus
24 to April 26
Open Veterans (Tennis)
Tivoli Marina de Portimao
Municipal Tennis Complex
24 to April 26
European Endurance Championship Aquabikes, Jetskis and Jetskis
Arade River/Marina Beach
25 April
Tribute to Cante Alentejano
Large Auditorium of TIME
25 April
April 25th Celebrations
Multiple Locations
25 April
XI Freedom Race
Athletics Test
Portimão riverside area
April 30nd to May 2th
ISKA Kickboxing and Combat Sport World Championship
Portimao Arena
May
8 to 10 May
TC3 International Series European Championship
Racing weekend and CIK Karting
Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
15th Photo Race
from Portimão
May 9
Miss and Mister Inter Secondary Schools 2015
Portimao Arena
22 to 25 May
Aircraft Meeting
Portimão Municipal Aerodrome
22 and 23 May
Waiting for Godot
Large Auditorium of TIME
May 23
Cool Market Auction
Old auction of Portimão
4th edition of the Praia da Rocha Sardine Gastronomic Show
Adherent establishments
18 to 23 May
7th anniversary of the Museum
«Barbershop, Poetry and Photography» by António Marreiros
Temporary Exhibition – Portimão Museum
«New Worlds» (Painting, drawing, sculpture) by Timo Dillner
Temporary Exhibition – Portimão Museum
June
5 to 7 June
ENI FIN Superbike World Championship
Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
June 1
garden theater
World Children's Day
Garden 1st December
June 3
Symphony nº3 of Lusíadas
Large Auditorium of TIME
June 11
Hearings at the Joly Braga Santos Conservatory
Large Auditorium of TIME
June 13
The Stone Raft
Violated Fado
Large Auditorium of TIME
June 12th, 13th and 14th
National Championship
of Adapted Sailing
Portimão Marina Beach
June 13
XXV Summer Festival
in sports gymnastics
Portimao Arena
15 to 21 June
Portimão 2015 International Tournament U14 in Tennis
Municipal Tennis Complex
June 20
From me to me, the Kimahera show
Large Auditorium of TIME
18 to 21 June
National Windsurf Championship
Naval Club of Portimão
20 and 21 June
K-Open – Tennis SmashTour
Municipal Tennis Complex
June 7
music in wartime
Large Auditorium of TIME
Portimão Sports Vacation 2015
26 and 28 June
Congress of Jehovah's Witnesses
Portimao Arena
Algarve Orality Festival (FORA)
Popular Marches and Saints
Portimão, Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande
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