A MOSTRA 2025: Rural Arts Festival Expands in Abrantes
The “A MOSTRA” Rural Space Arts Encounter is set to triple its footprint this autumn, expanding from its original roots to four distinct locations across the Abrantes municipality. Scheduled to run from September 25–27 and October 3–4, the festival will bring a vibrant mix of dance, music, theater, and visual arts to the heart of the Santarém district.
Organized by the Mundo em Reboliço association, the event has evolved rapidly. After an experimental “Year Zero” in 2024 and a successful gathering in Água das Casas in 2025, the festival has rebranded and scaled up to include Matagosa, Fontes, and the city of Abrantes itself.
Strengthening Rural Bonds Through Art
“This year, the Mostra is growing and reaching new places, but it maintains the same commitment: a close relationship with the people and the territory,” said curator Filipa Francisco. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between artists and local communities, fostering a dialogue between the region’s traditional heritage and contemporary expression.
The festival kicks off on September 25 in Água das Casas with a professional meeting of resident artists, focusing on the impact of artistic residencies within regional schools and educational communities.
Highlights: From Traditional Rhythms to Local History
On September 26, the programming spans both Água das Casas and Matagosa. Highlights include:
- “Bule-Bule — New Traditional Dances”: A workshop and evening ball led by Marta Coutinho, Ruca Rebordão, and Paulo Pereira, blending the rhythmic roots of Portugal, Cape Verde, Angola, and Brazil.
- “Azul Assim Apenas”: A concert at Matagosa Church featuring MOURA, a project that weaves together Portuguese guitar, cello, and electronic textures.
- “Guarda-Rios”: The launch of a new book by José Martinho Gaspar. Based on interviews with over two dozen locals, the book explores how education and community life changed before and after the 1974 revolution, specifically addressing the impact of rural school closures.
On September 27, the focus shifts to community performance with “Projetar o Souto” by Cuca M. Pires. Performed by the Souto Community Theater Group, the play tackles urgent local issues like depopulation and the future of inland Portuguese towns.
Final Weekend in Abrantes and Fontes
The second phase of the festival begins on October 3 at the Charters de Almeida Contemporary Art Museum in Abrantes. The day will feature a photographic exhibition by João Jerónimo and a Portuguese guitar concert by Pedro Moura.
The event concludes on October 4 in Fontes with the “Creative Dances of the World” workshop and a final presentation of the “Guarda-Rios” historical project. Throughout the festival, visitors can also witness the continuation of a large-scale mural project by artist Anacleto Guia, whose latest work celebrates the native birds of the region.
A MOSTRA is supported by the Abrantes City Council, the Directorate-General for the Arts (DGArtes), and the National Arts Plan, marking a significant investment in the cultural revitalization of Portugal’s rural interior.
Image: Pexels – Luan Albarracin
