Além do Atlântico — Arte(S)em Palco Festival

On September 22, at 5:30pm, the historic Church of Santiago, right in the center of the village of Monsaraz, hosts one of the most anticipated moments of the 4th Arte(S)em Palco Festival: the show «Além do Atlântico» (Beyond the Atlantic). The performance brings together Duo Lundú — voice and classical guitar — with actress Inês Leite, in a crossover between music and word spanning five centuries of Portuguese culture.

The show was created to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Luís de Camões, Portugal's greatest poet, combining musical works and literary texts ranging from the 16th to the 20th century. Over roughly an hour, the audience is taken on a sonic and poetic journey weaving together fado, singer-songwriter tradition, and classical and contemporary poetry, all built around the idea of crossing — of the Atlantic, of time, of the Portuguese language itself.

The setting could not be more fitting: the Church of Santiago, one of Monsaraz's most emblematic religious buildings, with its sober architecture and natural acoustics, creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for this kind of chamber performance. Located in the heart of the walled medieval village, classified as one of Portugal's most beautiful historic villages, the church is a reason to visit in its own right, and the concert offers a chance to discover it in a different way, through music and words.

The Arte(S)em Palco Festival is organized by Bolsa D'Originais Associação Cultural, with support from the Directorate-General for the Arts, the Reguengos de Monsaraz municipality, and the region's parish councils, and its mission is to bring quality performances to cultural venues across the county, often outside the usual artistic touring circuits. Admission is free, subject to venue capacity, so early arrival is recommended.

For those visiting the Alentejo in September, this concert is the perfect excuse to combine culture and scenery: before or after the show, it's well worth strolling the village's cobbled streets, admiring the medieval castle and the viewpoint over the Alqueva reservoir, and ending the day with a traditional Alentejo dinner at one of Monsaraz's local restaurants.