Freedom will blossom in the streets of Benfeita, inviting reflection, art and shared memories.
The SAL Festival – On Freedom is a multidisciplinary platform which, on 18 and 19 April, will transform the Schist Village of Benfeita, in Arganil, into a stage for celebrating the values of the Carnation Revolution. Organised by the multicultural women’s choir Canto d’Eira in collaboration with the Benfeita Improvement League, the event explores the meaning of the word “Freedom” today through film, music and the visual arts.
Over the course of two days, the village will be filled with creative workshops, performances and documentary films, taking place in various iconic venues across the Schist Village, including the River Beach, the Manuel da Costa Centre and the headquarters of the Benfeita Improvement League.
Programme
Saturday, 18 April
6.00 pm: Official opening
6.00 pm – 6.30 pm: Performance “As Portas que Abril Abriu” by Lotte Kauffman and Sara Marques (based on the poem by Ary dos Santos)
6.30 pm: Soup & Snacks
7.15 pm: Canto d’Eira songs
7.30 pm – 10.00 pm: Feature film followed by a discussion
Sunday, 19 April
11.00 am – 1.00 pm: Poster and Screen Printing Workshop with Alberto Péssimo
2.30pm – 4.00pm: Coro da Hora Workshop: Traditional Community Singing with Vânia Couto
4.00pm – 4.45pm: Creative Writing Workshop with Roshnii
4.45pm – 5.00pm: Vale da Cerejeira Songs
5.00 pm – 6.00 pm: Short Film Screening
6.00 pm – 7.30 pm: Dinner: Jonathan’s Burritos
7.15 pm – 7.30 pm: Canto d’Eira Songs
7.30 pm – 10.00 pm: Film followed by a discussion
Ongoing Activities (Saturday and Sunday):
“Voz do Açor” Exhibition
Felt workshop with Colectivo Arte Viva
For further details on the programme or to register for the workshops, please visit the official programme link. The initiative is organised by the Canto d’Eira group and is supported by the Benfeita Improvement League, the Benfeita Parish Council, Xinema da Benfeita and the Municipality of Arganil.
Immerse yourself in the spirit of the mountains and make the most of this festival to extend your stay in the heart of the Serra do Açor. Discover the tranquillity and comfort of our accommodation and plan your visit via bookinxisto.com.
























































