Conversations «with life inside», in which there will be protagonists such as José Mário Branco and Camilo Mortágua, «Canto Livre» by Francisco Fanhais and the cycle «Euterpe», in which the muse of music will be summoned, are some of the proposals of Teatro Lethes for this year.
Although the background is "evoking memory", the program, presented on January 7th, also wants to think about the future and a "design": the possibility of Faro to be the European Capital of Culture in 2027.
The secular Farense theater was too small to accommodate so many interested – who filled the audience and the boxes – in knowing this year's program. In declarations to the Sul Informação, Luís Vicente, director of ACTA (The Algarve Theater Company), explained that this theme of evoking memory arises because «it seems that we are functioning, in Portugal, in Europe and in the world, as if there was no history behind us. . It looks like something disposable».
Thus, in this program, ACTA wanted to “summon the memory, bringing people who, in a certain historical period, contributed to bringing about change”.
Here, for example, the comings to Lethes by José Mário Branco, on the 18th of March, by Camilo Mortágua, on the 10th of June, the play «The history of the siege of Lisbon», written by José Saramago, from 7 to 12 November, or the concert “Nos Cantos da Memória”, on 6 May, with Francisco Naia and Ricardo Fonseca.
In this "evocation of memory", there will still be space for poetry, with "From the first days of man", on 25 November, in which the Russian Revolution of 1917 will be the backdrop.
«It is through art that we will summon memory and alert to its importance for the formation of conscience», argued Luís Vicente.
Even so, there will also be room for other proposals, which are not so related to this theme, such as the show «As Criadas», on April 15th, the 3rd International Blues Festival of Faro, on the 19th and 20th of May, or «Azúcar», a show by the Academia de Salsa do Algarve, on the 22nd of July.
One of the goals for the future, which ACTA also wants to work towards, is the possibility of Faro to be the European Capital of Culture in 2027. «We are 10 years and 10 years away… it's already tomorrow», said Luís Vicente to our newspaper. "What we do is work every day to gain a position that can help in this endeavor," he added.
As for the budget, the director of ACTA, despite having revealed that there is still "no big news in this regard", hopes "that it will be strengthened".
Alexandra Gonçalves, regional director of Culture, was present at the presentation session, recalling two moments, spent at Lethes, that remained «forever in her memory»: the show Catarina, which he dubbed "wonderful", and the awarding of the Maria Veleda regional award to José Louro, in December. "These moments show how culture is worthwhile and culture in the Algarve is worthwhile," he said.
Dahlia Paulo, 365 Algarve commissioner, referred to the «Euterpe» cycle, which Lethes will host in partnership with this programme.
From February 16th to March 11th, concerts by Moçoilas, Luís Manhita, Rão Kyao and Custódio Castelo or Nuno da Câmara Pereira will pass on the stage of Lethes.
«This cycle has ours, but also those from abroad, as it will allow us to better understand what is being done in music today in order to build future memory. The Euterpe cycle contributes to the year of homage to memory», said Dália Paulo. Tickets for each of the 12 shows cost 12,50 euros, but those who want to go to more than 3 concerts can buy tickets for 10 euros.
Desidério Silva, president of the Algarve Tourism Region, for his part, addressed the fact that it is necessary to «bring culture to the Algarve», but also «give the leap to tourists, because we have to have visibility and notoriety to show that we are a region where culture is part of our daily lives».
Rogério Bacalhau, president of the Chamber of Faro, confessed that the schedule left him "with water in the mouth".
One of the novelties for this year, at Lethes, is the fact that it is now possible to buy tickets for any show, whether at the box office, whether in BOL.
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