The second day of the Saudade Festival took place on August 16 and, like the first day, it was a great success. Many people came from far and wide to socialize, laugh and play at a festival held in Fátima, Portugal’s most religious city. As well as featuring several well-known artists, such as Joana Amendoeira and even Father Borga, the day ended with a concert by the “idol of emigrants”, Tony Carreira, who, as always, charmed the whole festival and kept the hundreds of people on their seats (which they made a point of bringing), making every eye shine to the sound of the dream singer.
The afternoon began with Quim dos Apitos, the first to take the stage on the second day of the Festival da Saudade. After getting the Portuguese moving and singing, he also enchanted with his pimba style. He confessed to Ponto PT that “he was playing at home”, which made him “extremely happy” because he is from the municipality of Ourém. “I think people liked it and, personally, what I like most is to see them smile! Within my style of music, which is brejeiro, I think it went very well!” He laughs and says that the name “Quim dos Apitos” comes from the fact that he was a referee and sang a few songs while refereeing. “Quim” comes from the fact that ‘some people think he has a similar voice to Quim Barreiros’, which he takes as a compliment.
Finally, the first artist on stage on the 16th said that the performance had been “a success” and that “the audience had joined in immensely despite the heat”.
This was followed by the Casa do Povo Folkloric Group from Fátima, who put on a real show on the festival grounds. The group began by performing some traditional songs from Fátima and then invited some of the spectators to take part in traditional dances. There was no shortage of bare feet, twirling skirts and men in full costume. And, by the way, neither was there any joy!
The head of the Casa do Povo Folklore Group, Sandra Santos, says that the association was founded in 1977 and that “since its foundation they have tried to keep the group’s traditions alive”. Performing in Fátima is something that makes the group happy because they try to be “as faithful as possible to tradition” and the Festival da Saudade is another opportunity to bring more and more tourists to the land of the Portuguese’s greatest devotion.
Padre Borga and Joana Amendoeira were other well-known singers who took to the stage at the Festival da Saudade, leaving the audience indifferent to the sacred music and fado, respectively.
Tony Carreira, the singer of dreams, made love vibrate in the hearts of everyone present
Tony Carreira closed the Saudade Festival. And let’s face it, it was a good closing! With romantic lyrics, a kind smile and a passionate gaze, the artist put on quite a show and made every heart smile.
Speaking to Ponto PT, the headliner of the Festival da Saudade said: “This festival has a way to go, just like any other festival. Basically, it’s like an artist who appears with a first single”, but which can become something very big. He thinks it’s “a festival that makes sense in the middle of August and I’m very happy to be at the first one. Nobody can take that away from me! If, in 30 years’ time, this is the best festival in Portugal, I was at the first one”.
The idol of the Portuguese lived “abroad for 28 years”, so “my view of the Portuguese abroad is that they are also Portuguese, wherever they are”.
In this festival “the word saudade has a real meaning”
“I think this festival has the right title. Here, the word saudade has real meaning. Especially for those who live abroad, and it had an even greater meaning 30 or 40 years ago because there was no internet, nor the facilities that exist today. Nowadays, saudade isn’t at the same level as it was a few years ago, but for those who live outside Portugal, this is a word that really means a lot.” Tony Carreira ended by thanking everyone “for being there” and, once again, he wowed the crowds, bringing smiles to every fan who accompanies him all over the world.
The audience was “on fire” throughout the festival
During the Festival of Saudade, it wasn’t just the artists who were very satisfied. When talking to the audience, you could hear phrases like “I’m an emigrant from the north”, says José Moura, from São João da Pesqueira. He says that what he “liked most” about the Festival of Saudade was Father Borga’s performance. However, he was looking forward to seeing all the artists until the end. José Moura was accompanied by his wife and brothers-in-law, with whom we also had the opportunity to speak.
Her sister-in-law, Maria Ramos, emigrated for many years. She was in Germany where she “organized her life”. She went “with her parents” and returned “with her husband and two children on her back”. She has been back in Portugal for more than 30 years and says she is “very happy that there are festivals that celebrate emigrants”. As someone who also felt “very homesick”, she enjoyed it, especially “the conviviality between people”. As for the artists, she said she particularly liked Joana Amendoeira, but that it was “a pleasure” to see all the musicians.
It’s undeniable that the fans of the great Tony Carreira are usually the liveliest and, having the opportunity to speak to some of them, we heard the following: “It was very good, very pleasant! The first time I saw Tony was in France. His songs are very beautiful and captivate many people,” says Manuela.
Lúcia has been emigrating to France since 1975 and came to see Tony Carreira accompanied by her children. She’s a die-hard fan! She’s seen her idol more than 20 times. She says that she only came to the Festival da Saudade “to see Tony”, while, between laughs, her children say “Tony makes me a brother” and “Tony is a father to me”, such is Lúcia’s devotion to the singer of love. The family say that “Tony is very special” and add that they will be there whenever they can.
“My scarf has been signed several times by Tony Carreira,” says Maria da Luz as she waits in line to get another signature from her idol. She has been an emigrant in France for over 50 years and attended both days of the Festival da Saudade. “We’ve found our roots here and it’s a pleasure to be here and socialize with all these people,” she says.
Isabel Rodrigues, administrator of Media Livre, represents the organization of the Festival da Saudade and, in a conversation with Ponto PT, reveals that the expectations for the first year of this festival were “very high”, but they were met. “We don’t want to do anything by halves and it was a great desire and with all our heart that we organized this festival together with Música no Coração,” he says.
“This is a festival to remember. Fátima was chosen because it has great significance for all Portuguese people in terms of faith and belonging, which spreads all over the world.” The next Festival da Saudade is expected to take place in 2025 and is already underway immediately after the end of the last day of this first edition, confirms Isabel Rodrigues.
The love of music, art and the public on the part of every artist, organizer and participant in the Festival da Saudade is what made it such a success. It moved crowds and promises to return in 2025.
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