From Lisbon to Albufeira, from Barrancos to Beja, passing through Mina de São Domingos, 1300 singers, men and women, of 70 groups, some of men, others for women and also some mixed, celebrated this Saturday afternoon, in Ovibeja, the 10th anniversary of the recognition of Alentejo singing as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
It was the 27 November 2014, that this award was given to polyphonic singing from Alentejo and until that date this year, There will be several initiatives to mark this important date for the region.
From the so-called “Lisbon Industrial Beltâ€, how Alentejo residents have always defined the capital’s working area, The “Sing Train†arrived with 30 groups on board with 600 singers who, until arriving in Beja, hummed many of the styles from the Alentejo songbook. Of region, in particular from the district of Beja, attended 40 groups that included 700 singers.
After parading singing along the main street of Ovibeja,, the groups gathered at the Multiusos Pavilion and sang five styles from the traditional songbook, with the theme “Alentejo, Alentejoâ€, led the singers and thousands of spectators to cheer.
Leaning on your staff, Antonio Vieira, of 79 year old, born in Brinches and resident in Carnaxide, Lisbon, he was happy to see so many singers together: this is so beautiful, give us more soul and life to return to the land I left ago 66 years", Lidador told the News (LN) the singer of the Grupo Coral da Freguesia da Ajuda, who added that “our song is an unmissable heritage, concluded.
Lélia Sousa, of 68 year old, native of Panóias (Ourique), sing in the Grupo Coral 1º de Maio, from Quinta do Anjo, Palmela, land where he went as soon as he was born, but “they can take people out of Alentejo, but they don't take Alentejo away from people. This is an initiative that makes us feel even more like our landâ€, finished.
After celebrating the 10 years of UNESCO Heritage, The groups went through the various Ovibeja pavilions and everywhere they could be heard singing the most diverse Alentejo fashions.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
