Materiais Diversos International Performing Arts Festival
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| Country and Region | Portugal — Santarém |
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| Type of Festival | Dance, Drama, Music |
| Location of Festival | Alcanena, Minde, Torres Novas, Santarém, Portugal |
| Festival Contact Information | MATERIAIS DIVERSOS |
| Festival Description | Under the artistic direction of choreographer Tiago Guedes, Festival Materiais Diversos presents a pluridisciplinary programme of performances, exhibitions, conferences, debates, workshops, professional meetings and outdoor activities, encouraging dialogue and reflection about and around contemporary art. The festival takes place every year in the municipality of Alcanena, set against the Aire and Candeeiros mountains (approximately an hour from Lisbon). |
| Festival Dates | September 12 - 28, 2013 |
| Festival Links | http://www.materiaisdiversos.com |
Festival Story:
Under the artistic direction of choreographer Tiago Guedes, Materiais Diversos is a non-profit cultural association whose work is motivated by an understanding of culture and creativity as a vehicle for development. Its mission is to stimulate artistic research and experimentation and to increase public receptiveness to contemporary art.
The association works towards this goal by organising Festival Materiais Diversos and producing and promoting, in national and international circuits, the projects of its associate artists Tiago Guedes, Martim Pedroso, Filipa Francisco, Elizabete Francisca & Teresa Silva, and Joana Barrios.
Festival Materiais Diversos presents a pluridisciplinary programme of performances, exhibitions, professional meetings and outdoor activities, encouraging dialogue and reflection about and around contemporary art, and takes place every year in the municipality of Alcanena, set against the Aire and Candeeiros mountains (approximately an hour from Lisbon).
In 2009 this initiative was part of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, and in 2010 it received the high patronage of the President of the Republic. Gabriela Canavilhas, former Minister of Culture, considers the festival exemplary for its inclusion of the local population, bringing them closer to “more contemporary languages.” As she remarked: “There are many artistically interesting events outside of the main centres and I insist on being as close to them as possible, to bear witness to them and encourage their replication in other places.”
Materiais Diversos collaborates with various public and private organisations, nationally and internationally, in the fields of the cultural and creative industries (namely Centro Cultural Vila Flor, Culturgest, EGEAC, Alkantara Festival, Galeria Zé dos Bois, O Espaço do Tempo, Teatro Municipal Maria Matos, Teatro Municipal São Luiz, Teatro Viriato, ARCADI, Culturesfrance, ONDA – Office National de Diffusion Artistique, Théâtre de L’L, Théâtre Le Vivat, Uzés Dance, among others), education and social solidarity.
Materiais Diversos is member of REDE – Associação de Estruturas para a Dança Contemporânea, the Portuguese network of the Anna Lindh Foundation and RIP – Informal Programmer’s Network, through its artistic director. With headquarters in Lisbon, Materiais Diversos is in residence at Galeria Zé dos Bois (Lisbon) and Cine Teatro São Pedro (Alcanena).
To date, Materiais Diversos has worked with 48 creators and 155 performers, produced 19 new pieces, programmed 37 original works, carried out more than 100 training activities and participated in various conferences, debates and meetings. It is recognised as one of the most interesting organisations producing new work and programming in Portugal today.
Practical Info:
Venue:
- Festival Meeting Point
Rua de Santana 65
2395-163 Minde
Portugal
Phone: +351 938 575 488
Email: festival@materiaisdiversos.com
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