The “A Viola in the City” competition is promoted by the Sons do Terreiro cultural association. It aims to choose proposals for the creation of a piece of Portuguese sidewalk alluding to the viola from Terceira. The competition is part of the celebrations of “Viola da Terra Day” on the island of Terceira.
The work will be placed permanently in the historic center of the city of Angra do Heroísmo. “The aim is to pay homage to what is the most distinctive musical instrument of Terceira Island and the Azores, as well as all the players and builders who allowed the Viola Terceirense to reach the present day,” says a note sent to DI by the Sons do Terreiro association.
The text states that the initiative also aims to promote the involvement of different art forms, “stimulating and disseminating artists and designers in the creation of a new project, allied to the tradition of Portuguese sidewalk”.
The competition has three distinct phases, with the presentation and dissemination beginning today, March 15. Proposals will be submitted between March 15 and May 31 (inclusive), and the jury will evaluate them in June. The results are expected to be announced on July 1st.
The Angra do Heroísmo City Council will be responsible for the work, and the inauguration is expected to take place in October, during the week dedicated to the Viola on Terceira Island.
The jury will be made up of seven members representing different institutions, namely Sons do Terreiro – Associação Cultural, Angra do Heroísmo Town Hall, Grupo de Baile da Canção Regional Terceirense, Associação de Juventude Viola da Terra and Miratecarts.
The winning team or artist will receive a cash prize of €250. According to the note sent to us, only the name of the winning participant will be announced, but there may be the possibility of honorable mentions if the jury decides.
Proposals (team or individual) should be sent by e-mail to Sons do Terreiro – Associação Cultural (concurso.viola.na.cidade@gmail.com). The competition rules can be consulted at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EFla6FdC_TsCNQzgcI-IMwWMs4q3CkOh/view?usp=sharing


The initiative is being held in partnership with the Angra do Heroísmo City Council, with the support of the Regional Government of the Azores.

in Diário Insular-José Lourenço, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance)  at California State University, Fresno–PBBI thanks the sponsorship of the Luso-American Development Foundation from Lisbon, Portugal (FLAD)