São Brás created "O Homem de Fogo" to help protect the forest against fire

São Brás de Alportel entered the scene to help change behavior and raise awareness of the population to defend the forest against fire, with the presentation of the multidisciplinary show “O Homem de Fogo” on Saturday.

This entirely production from Sãobras is the only Algarve part of the “Don't play with fire” project, jointly promoted by the Agency for Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF) and the Ministry of Culture, which has a national coverage.

This project aims to «raise awareness, through the arts, to change the behavior of populations in relation to the risks of forest and rural fires», said Ângela Ferreira, the Assistant Secretary of State and Cultural Heritage.

"We want to try to change risk behaviors and try to sensitize the population to the importance of protecting forests," added the official, who was in São Brás de Alportel to watch – even see – the unique presentation of the show, which took place on the air free, in the Garden of Verbena.

Vítor Guerreiro and Ângela Ferreira waiting for the show to start

The pandemic dictated that only about 80 people could watch “O Homem de Fogo” live, which brought together on stage the São Brás de Alportel Philharmonic Band and the storyteller Fernando Guerreiro, the author of Micro Tales, and staged by Lília Parreira, from the Experimental Amateur Theater Group of São Brás de Alportel (TEAS13).

Pilar Puyana, responsible for the sand animation, was only virtually on stage, but guaranteed an important part of the show.

The organization of the initiative was under the responsibility of ARCA – Associação Recreativa e Cultural do Algarve, which had the support of the Parish Council and the City Council of São Brás de Alportel.

“O Homem de Fogo” is a “multidisciplinary show that uses sand, music and word animation to convey a message of prevention and care for people and forests. Created from a traditional Chinese tale, this story transports us to the beginning of time, when time was not yet time, when Man was created and fire was discovered», summarized the municipality.

«This is a very happy moment for the council, because we involved the experimental theater group and the philharmonic band in this project. We hope that this is the first of many projects of this nature and we are very happy that it involves our community and the cultural agents of our municipality», considered Vítor Guerreiro, Mayor of São Brás de Alportel.

The mayor recalled that «São Brás de Alportel is a rural territory and we have also suffered the scourge of forest fires. Fortunately, since 2012 we haven't had major catastrophes in this regard, and we hope to stay that way. But the protection and prevention of fires is up to all of us, sensitizing the population in this way, through art, is without a doubt an excellent initiative».

Vítor Guerreiro even made a point of “praising” the Ministry of Culture and AGIF for this project. “Trying to sensitize the population to the problem of rural fires through art is, without a doubt, a laudable initiative”.

Although Saturday's presentation was the only one scheduled under the scope of “No Brinques com o Fogo”, the mayor of São Brás admits that he will be able to support the holding of more sessions.

«Today, we only had the opportunity to have 80 people in space, due to the moment of contingency that we are experiencing. But there are many more people who would like to see it. We will do everything to promote the repetition of this show, so that many more can see it», assured Vítor Guerreiro.

Photos: Hugo Rodrigues | Sul Informação