Art took to the streets and animated the historic center of São Brás de Alportel

The historic center of São Brás de Alportel hosted the third edition of the cultural event “Calçadas – A Arte Sai à Rua” last Sunday, August 14th. In addition to music, this event featured dancing, gastronomy and the “A Janela Mais Bonita” contest.

«On a full moon night, the alleys of the old town of the village told secrets, in the form of music, dance, tales… among many other artistic manifestations that provided unforgettable experiences to thousands of visitors who did not want to miss the 3rd edition of “Calçadas ””, says the City Council of São Brás.

The event took place on six stages: at Parque Viladentro, where flamenco met Celtic music; in Praça Velha, where the strains of traditional music and comedy followed; in the Churchyard of the Igreja Matriz, invaded by dance; at the Municipal Library, intended for the youngest; outside the Arts and Crafts Centre, where new talents and trends in music have passed, and still at the beginning of the “Calçadinha” section of São Brás de Alportel, where “Stories of shivering” were told.  

Gastronomy and crafts were also present at this event. According to the City Council of São Brás, «the doors opened with typical taverns that surprised visitors with delicious snacks and the streets were filled with handicrafts and local products».

The first edition of the “A Janela Mais Beautiful” contest, which aimed at decorating windows and shop windows in an original and creative way for the event, «with the aim of further involving the resident population and merchants of the Historic Center», was one of the novelties of this edition of “Calçadas”.

The contest was won through Jorge Simões' window, on Rua Ferreira de Almeida. This creation will now be on the cover of the cultural agenda “São Brás happens” in September.

The jury also awarded four honorable mentions: to Cécile Ochsenreiter and Anabela Guerreiro, in Rua Gago Coutinho, Maria Isabel Pereira, in Rua Manuel de Arriaga, and Gabriela Simões, in Largo da Praça.

The 3rd edition of “Calçadas – A Arte Sai à Rua” was organized by the City Council in partnership with the “Calçadas Commission”, an informal group of the São Brasense community, with the collaboration of local associations, artisans, producers, traders and residents of the historic center.