What connection did you have to the Festivities (Festas da Praia) before taking on the role of coordinator?

I have participated several times in the Praia da Vitória Festivities as a “cantoria” singer, and I have also loved these festivities since I was very young. I experience them with great liveliness and joy. However, I have never had such a close connection as this year in the area of organization. I was invited by the mayor of Praia da Vitória at the end of last year’s festivities. Of course, it was a surprise for me, but I confess that I had always dreamed of being president of the Festivities, of making my contribution. At the moment, I have two children, aged 3 and 4, and it’s not easy, but I also don’t think I could turn my back on my municipality. I think we all have to contribute. I’ve experienced many of the festivities, and it was my turn to organize them so that others could experience them too. And I’m going to experience them too! There are interesting stories. I have a friend who was here, a teacher at the American air base, and she asked if she could help this year because she had such a great time at these festivities and wanted to see the other side. I can relate to that.

What makes organizing a festival of this size special?

What makes it special is that we put our own stamp on it. We dream it up, build it, plan the project, and then it grows like a puzzle. I’ve been involved in every aspect of the festival. I wanted to contribute and also listen to the people who organize it. The truth is that there comes a time when the ship seems to be sailing on its own. I often said, “If I were president, this or that would happen… It’s very special. When the program comes out, we see that it’s our work, that we managed to organize it, but that it was with a large team and fantastic people around me. We learn a lot, and we’ve learned that it’s not easy to organize a festival. It’s very easy to criticize, but not to manage.

What personal touch did you want to give the festival?

I think the festival has to be for everyone. From the youngest children to the oldest. Several people have already told me that we’re going to have festivals for all tastes. That’s very important to me, and I’m very happy when people come up to me and say that. We have things that have come up… For example, we’re going to have an Abba tribute with only musicians and vocalists from Praia. Then, the official march from 25 years ago will return again this year at the Praia da Vitória Festivities. We will also have the return of Coxe, who marked a phase in our island and an entire generation, including myself. I managed to get them to come back. In addition, we will once again have the ethnographic parade in Praia da Vitória. I have always identified with our culture and traditions, and Praia is known for its ethnographic parades. After nine years, we will once again have an ethnographic parade. International restaurants are also returning this year. We have a Mexican restaurant, and we have also brought the Mariachi, who will perform on the Marina Stage and provide that connection. In addition, there will be a representation from Cape Verde. These are things designed for people to experience and enjoy the festival joyfully. I also wanted to move away from historical themes and turn to nature. I was born in the United States, and the island is very much a part of who I am. The theme is closely tied to that, with this “lava ground,” the ground that was trodden by my ancestors, our roots. That’s where we draw our culture and our values, which are very much present in the Praia da Vitória Festivals. In “saber a mar” (knowing the sea), we have the beach bathed by the sea. The festivities, obviously, have the particularity of being blessed by the sea. I wanted the festival to focus on our nature and our essence. The volcano and the sea together form the island. Then, if we add the “a” to “mar,” we get “saber amar” (knowing how to love). Praia knows how to love and knows how to welcome, and that’s what we want, to welcome as many people as possible. This year’s poster is very powerful, explosive even, like lava from a volcano. I want an energetic festival.

What stands out about the musical lineup?

I was more involved in organizing the Marina, because the Dreamzone part is concessioned, although we coordinated many things. At the Marina, I find it difficult to highlight anything because, for me, every day is good. We have tributes to the 80s, Abba, Coxe, an a cappella group, local bands—Quarto Crescente and Alma Popular-Os Pêgas, Mariachi…

If Saint Peter is willing, it will be a very rich stage. I have a funny story about Dreamzone. When I was appointed coordinator, I went on vacation to Malta, and Tony Carreira was also at the airport in Lisbon waiting for his flight. It had just been announced in the press that I was going to be the coordinator of the Praia da Vitória Festivities. I approached him and said that I didn’t know if it was fate, if it was a sign, that I had just been appointed, and he was right there next to me. The truth is that I said it as a joke. When they told me that there was a possibility that Tony Carreira would come, I thought the sign was coming true. At the time, it was a joke, he said to me, “Oh boy, then we have to sort this out.” It was a huge coincidence! We have McKevinho (who performed yesterday), Soraia Ramos, NAPA, T-Rex… I can’t single anyone out, because it’s designed for several generations. That’s what makes the lineup so rich. In the opening parade, coordinated by Vasco Lima and Marta Meneses, and in the children’s parade, I want to highlight all the people who build the floats; they are the soul of the Praia da Vitória festivities. They are the ones behind the scenes, but they are true artists. It was great to work with these people, at all levels, from their commitment and humor to their dedication to their municipality. My wife is coordinating the children’s parade, and João Mendonça and Ricardo Martins are coordinating the floats. This year is also for people our age; some moments allow us to remember our childhood and adolescence.

What is your mood like now, after a year of work?

So far, I’ve been very calm, but I’m starting to wonder if everything will go well, what the weather will be like… I have a flaw: I like to be on top of everything, to test everything, to make sure everything is in order… Now the ship is sailing, and there is a normal amount of anxiety. It’s been a year of hard work and dedication, and if the weather turns bad, it’ll be a problem. But we have to have faith.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço, director.

Photos of the first day–from Festas da Praia site

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.