SÃO MIGUEL FESTIVAL BRINGS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO PENELA

The Festivities of S. Miguel 2022 took place from September 28th to October 2nd, organized by Penela Council. There were five days of celebration that brought thousands of people to the town, with a diverse program, To suit all tastes. Music, exhibitors, taverns, local products, cultural and sporting events, fireworks and lots of entertainment to celebrate the Penela traditions, which included the Annual

Fair of S. Miguel, the Walnut Fair and the Agricultural and Industrial Fair of Penela (FAGRIP).

The Festival of S. Miguel returned to Penela, after two years, in which the format was adapted to meet the conditions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The municipality reinforced the bet in the event, namely through a musical offer with national known artists. The highlight was Tony Carreira (October 1st) that brought thousands of people to the village of Penela. Fernando Daniel was scheduled to perform on the 30th, but due to illness, he was replaced by Bárbara Tinoco, who along with Augusto Canário, (on day 2) were other important artists, from a vast program.

“Penela Fashion” involved local businesses

The Municipality of Penela distributes walnut trees to encourage production of walnuts.

The Municipality of Penela distributed about a thousand walnut trees to residents, during the centenary Feira das Nozes - Walnut Fair, a symbolic initiative intended to stimulate the increase in the production of this local product in the area.

Free transports during São Miguel weekend

On the 1st and 2nd of October, the Council of Penela provided the residents and visitors, with a bus, free of charge, that stopped at several peripheral car parks, every 20/30 minutes.

We wanted to bring back the S. Miguel Festival, as the great moment of the Penelense family reunion. The choice of wellknown national artists is also a bet on the projection of the Municipality of Penela in the region and in the country, because we want S. Miguel Festival to re-enter the calendar of the big events and festivals. Bringing artists like Tony Carreira, not only provides great quality shows for the Penelenses to enjoy, but in addition also supports the local economy and allows the name and the traditions of Penela to be known further afield. The municipal strategy is about supporting the tourism at this post-pandemic age, emphasising the natural, gastronomic and cultural resources, of the region, as well as encouraging its preservation and promoting the image and brand of local products and of all tourist potential of the area.

Seminar “ The Archaeological Site

São Simão” at CEHLR Salvador Dias Arnaut

As part of a programme of Seminars “History and Heritage”, promoted by the Centre of Local and Regional History Studies (CEHLR) Salvador Dias Arnaut, there was on the 26th of November, one more Seminar entitled “Archaeological Site of São Simão”. The archaeologist, Sonia Vicente participated with the theme “The Discovery of the São Simão Archaeological Site”; the art restorer Ana Ravara, with the theme “Conservation, Restoration and Enhancement of the Archaeological Site of São Simão”; and the anthropologist, Flávio Simões, with the theme “The Necropolis of Senhora da Graça, São Simão, Penela”, followed by a visit to the Archaeological Site. The initiative was a success with the conference room of the CEHLR at full capacity.

Art’Ventus settles down in Penela for a training project

In a sequence of a partnership between the Municipality and the Association “Ventos Eruditos”, within an application for the creative project, sponsored by the General Direction of the Arts, the project “Art’Ventus Penela” was designed. This project, of social development through culture, from a public training and cultural decentralization Perspective with an epicentre in music, takes place for 18 months, including a set of diversified activities, including concerts, educational workshops and master-classes. The project includes partnerships with the Agrupamento de Escolas Infante D.Pedro, Cercipenela, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Casa de Beneficência Oliveira Guimarães, the Philharmonics of Penela and Espinhal, the Quinta das Pontes Association and the Senior University of Penela. In the field of actions,there were workshops in the headquarters of all of the partners and also two concerts by “Art’Ventus Quintet”, on the 18th of September, at the Penela Municipal Auditorium and on the 30th of November, at the Centre of Culture and Wine, in Podentes.