The International Folklore Festival is once again bringing dance and music from different corners of the world to Famalicão. For four days, the people of Famalicão are invited to once again meet different traditions and cultures, as well as to enjoy rich artistic performances. In this new edition, FAMAFOLK welcomes folklore groups from Croatia, Spain, Serbia, Mexico and Panama. This is the fourth year in a row that residents have travelled to other countries without leaving the comfort of their municipality.
Unlike the last few editions, this year the festival will take place over four days, from 1 to 4 August, and as well as Famalicão and Joane, Ribeirão will also host the festival.
FAMAFOLK's opening show is scheduled for 21h30 on the 1st and will feature performances by international groups, the Rusga de Joane Ethnographic Group from Famalicão and the Lavradeiras da Meadela Folkloric Group from Viana do Castelo. It should be noted that this year's opening gala will take place in Praceta Cupertino de Miranda, at 21h30.
However, the festival's activities begin a few hours earlier. The Protocol Ceremony begins at 14h30 in the Vila Nova de Famalicão Town Hall. At 15h30, the ‘Dances of the World’ workshop takes place in Praça D. Maria II, followed by the opening gala.
On Friday 2nd, Famalicenses are invited to attend the Parishes Gala, which starts at 21h30 at the Parque da Lazer in Ribeirão. Also performing on this day will be international groups, the Rusga de Joane Ethnographic Group and the Fradelos Regional Ranch.
Saturday evening, the 3rd, will be marked by the Closing Gala, which starts at 21h30 in Parque da Ribeira, in Joane. The international groups will energise the event, the Rusga de Joane Ethnographic Group and the Ponta do Sol Folkloric Group from Madeira. The gala will feature two artistic moments, one of music and the other of dance, which will bring all the groups together in a joint performance.
The festival ends with the Ecumenical Ceremony on the 4th. The event will take place between 11h00 and 12h00 at Joane Church.
The event, organised by the Rusga de Joane Ethnographic Group, has the support of the Vila Nova de Famalicão Municipality, the Joane and Ribeirão Parish Councils, the Portuguese Folklore Federation, the INATEL Foundation and the CIOFF Portugal Association, ENIF and the Padre Benjamim Salgado School Group.
See the full programme at www.famalicao.pt