By Beatriz Miranda, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Thursday, May 17th, Cidade das Artes, in Barra, opened the “Portugal 360” festival, which commemorates the Portuguese culture and heritage in Rio de Janeiro. The first edition of the event will happen until Sunday, May 20th, gathering traditional Portuguese music, culinary workshops, stand up comedy, panels, among several other attractions.
Created by the Consulate General of Portugal in Rio de Janeiro, Portugal’s Tourism Department and the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rio de Janeiro, “Portugal 360” aims to shed light on the cultural exchanges between Brazil and Portugal, as well as to present the innovations from the Portuguese entrepreneurial sector.
According to the organizers, the event is also expecting to attract those who think of Portugal as a future touristic destination, and even the ones interested in moving to the country – two growing trends among Brazilians.
The entertainment line-up of “Portugal 360” will include a “fado” music festival, the most traditional music genre from the country.
Opening the festival on Saturday, May 19th, will be the Portuguese singer Raquel Tavares, fourteen-time winner of fado music contests. On Sunday, May 20th, Ana Moura, winner of two Golden Globe Awards, promises to enchant the audience with her soulful voice.
A stand up comedy festival, with Brazilian and Portuguese performers, will also take place at Cidade das Artes until this Sunday, May 20th. Three different attractions will go up on the stage of “Portugal 360” tonight, at 9:30 PM: São Paulo group Os Barbixas; Carioca comedian Claudio Torres Gonzaga and Lisbon actor Gonçalo Sitima.
On Sunday, May 20th, theater company Palco Literário will present an authentic version of “O Auto da Barca do Inferno”, a famous play by Portuguese writer Gil Vicente. What’s more, on Saturday and Sunday, Cidade das Artes will display “Baptismo da Terra”, documentary on the Portuguese immigration in Rio de Janeiro.
Diverse panel discussions, happening on the weekend, will also be open to the audience. Wine, surf, tourism, higher education and music in Portugal are some of the themes to be discussed in the panels. For food lovers, the event will offer culinary workshops and wine and olive oil tasting on Sunday, May 20th.
What: “Portugal 360”
When: Thursday, May 17th to Sunday, May 20th – 10AM to 8PM
Where: Cidade das Artes – Avenida das Américas, 5300 – Barra da Tijuca
Entrance: varies according to the attraction.