Feira da Luz 2023
Montemor-o-Novo
September 2023
Client: Montemor-o-Novo Municipality
Feira da Luz is a yearly cultural event spanning one week, held in the fairgrounds of the medieval city of Montemor-o-Novo, in central Alentejo.
The Feira showcases concerts, artistic performances, workshops, farm animals on display, commerce stands, food, an amusement park, arts and crafts and much more! The highlighted musician of the evening draws the most people to the Feira of course. And this year, many popuar artists played on the main stage, including Tito Paris and Ana Bacalhau.
I was commissioned by the Municipality to do a sketching reportage during the final weekend of the Feira. People, places, activities and shows, all got their time in the sheets of watercolor paper
One pavilion was entirely occupied by a watercolor exhibition with dozens of outstanding pieces by international artists that had been there painting, earlier in May, and the turnout of curious people was surprisingly high. As a live sketcher, I find it heartwarming that art touches people on such a visceral level wherever you are in the world.
A dirt road crossed the whole Feira, connection the two main entrances.
A performance of Cante Alentejano, the regional polyphonic singing, now a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, by the local Cante group Fora d'Oras
The amusement park is a must in every Portuguese regional Fair.
Locals enjoy drinks while sheltered from the flash rains that surprised the Feira on saturday.
Watercolor artist Carlos Santos Marques, performing a watercolor demo, projected on the wall of the pavilion. All around him, people watching and watercolor paintings from international artists who had spent a few days in Montemor the past May.
Teatro Dom Roberto is an ancient form of puppetry. This puppeteer was entertaining the younger in the kids' area of the Feira.
The arts and crafts section, showcasing different artists and artisans of the region, and an ongoing stone painting workshop.
Noble and well tended horses of the Lusitano breed were displayed for show and purchase.
Humongous cows and oxen of the mertolenga breed on display.
Goats and sheep were popular amongst kids!
Pigs were lazily lounging, until suddenly all hell broke loose, as the fodder came through!
Tractors, backhoes, front end loaders and other construction and agricultural vehicles stood as if a honor guard, by one of the entrances of the Feira.
Firefighters command a lot of respect in the countryside, especially in areas prone to forest fires. The local fire department showcased a few modern vehicles, as well as this historical one from the 40s.
The many commercial stands feature businesses and grassroots associations of all kinds.
Tito Paris, a veteran Cape Verdean musician was the featured artist on Saturday evening.
Ana Bacalhau shone as the featured artist on Sunday evening.