Between 27 and 30 May, Imaginarius – International Street Theatre Festival of Santa Maria da Feira will reveal itself to its mostly online audience, but also in some public spaces and facilities, presenting current, innovative and provocative artistic projects that portray the duality between the imaginary world (The Myth) and the real world (The Brand), through the artistic language and creativity of the various domestic and international artists who participate in this festival.
“The Myth and the Brand” is the theme that marks both the 20th edition and the 20 years of this festival, which is a benchmark in street arts and contemporary circus, and the entire programme, designed for different age groups and artistic tastes, is based on the approach to these two themes, with music, dance, theatre, new circus and multidisciplinary shows, but also digital art, interactive installations, cinema, workshops and urban art.
The online programme, streamed on the Imaginarius Virtual Map, includes the project Get Ready, by Spanish company TwoMuch, in cooperation with the European festivals network Roundabout Europe; the world premiere of the show Ulisses, by Auéeeu Teatro, for the little ones; and the presentation of a video clip of the Sinfonia das Hortas community intervention project, by the Santa Maria da Feira Creative Orchestra. As for Criações Imaginarius, the highlight goes to the world premieres of the Very Very Funny project, by Rui Paixão, André Costa and Mariana Machado, and Urban Pantheon, by Teatro em Caixa. International Competition More Imaginarius will include the show A Ciegas, by the Spanish company Elelei; Risas de Papel, by Circonciente, from Mexico; Poemas com Cheirinho, by Portuguese Filipe Alexandre Santos; Dandelion or the Theory of Possible Words, by Societat Valentinas, France; and Boxed Stories, by Varanda Teatro, from Brazil.
As for the onsite programme, five projects are scheduled: Subtil Prelúdio à Humanidade, a world premiere created by SALTO – International Circus School specifically for Imaginarius, at the António Lamoso Cine-Theatre, on 27, 28 and 29 May, at 9 pm, and on 30 May, at 6:30pm; the premiere of the Very Very Funny Project short film, followed by a conversation with artists Rui Paixão, André Costa Santos and Mariana Machado, on 27 May, at 9:00pm, at the Municipal Library of Santa Maria da Feira; Interactive Installations at Quinta do Castelo, Despojos da Torre de Babel, by Alexandra Couto and Paulo Pimenta, and O Cubo, by Elisabete Sousa and Diogo Martins, with previously scheduled visits, in the afternoon of 27 and 28 May, and during all day, on 30 and 31 May; and the Urban Art project, Auxílio no Perigo, by the artist Godmess, which was unveiled on 1 May, at the Feira Fire Station. All these shows and visits are free of charge, but, in compliance with the guidelines of the health authorities, they require prior appointment that can be made here.
The Imaginarius Virtual Map presents the Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira in a perspective that is also creative and imaginary and not on a real scale, allowing you to travel throughout the region and watch shows in different public spaces. The choice of venues for online transmission, such as Castro de Romariz, the Municipal Library, the Lóios Convent Museum, among many others, is related to its direct or indirect connection to each of the shows to be broadcast. On the tourism side, the Imaginarius Virtual Map also allows you to discover the vast cultural heritage of the municipality.
It is also through the Imaginarius Virtual Map that visitors can enjoy gastronomy, at “Rossio”, where they can access Sabores Imaginarius, but also leisure and well-being, at Imaginarius Zen, available by clicking on “Inha Riverside” or on “Porto Carvoeiro”. In the Virtual Map’s “Municipal Market”, virtual visitors can purchase urban handicrafts, plastic arts, vintage products, fashion accessories and second-hand items from several exhibitors.
