Bread and circus for the people

Lavrar o Mar, the ambitious cultural project developed by the theatre directors Madalena Victorino and Giacomo Scalisi, is due to begin its third season. It is Bread and Circus for the people of the Costa Vicentina, in Aljezur, and the hills of Monchique, scourged by fires. The programme was presented to the press – not by Manuel Marreiros and José Amarelinho, who were removed from office by the Courts for crimes of corruption and embezzlement – but by the new Mayor of Aljezur, José Gonçalves, and by the Mayor of Monchique, Rui André.

This season’s project, subsidised by the “Algarve365” programme, was opened with the presentation of the play “Fire doesn’t have four letters” in a medronho distillery in Alferce, to a small group of people. In Monchique, shows for larger groups have to be presented outdoors, weather permitting, as the community centre (Casa do Povo), which has space for an audience of 300 people, has not opened its doors for more than ten years. The Mayor, Rui André, gives priority to other projects, not fulfilling the promise he made in an interview with ECO123 in 2016.

Just as in the past two years, the nights around the New Year promise to be lively. People will come, even from Lisbon, to fill the tent that seats 675, to see the humorous stunts of the Aïtal Circus: from Friday 28 to Monday 31 December at 9.00 p.m., and Monday 1 January, 2019, at 5.00 p.m. tickets for adults cost € 10 and for children aged 12 or under € 5. Seats must be booked in advance. This can be done at the Monchique library, at the Post Office (CTT) in Odeceixe or online at www.lavraomar.bol.pt.

During the first five months of the year, Lavrar o Mar also has a programme in Aljezur: with juggling, music and medronho # 2 and Les Voyages. Check out the programme at www.lavraromar.pt, and find the best dates for you. Have a great time.