Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the MED Festival returns to the Historic Area of Loulé this week, from 27 June to 30 June. The centrepiece of MED's cultural programme is world music, and this year’s lineup boasts 90 hours of music, 54 concerts, and 378 musicians from 31 different countries (making it the most diverse edition yet). These performers will take the stage at 12 different locations throughout the venue, marking the start of a new chapter with the Kingdom of Morocco as a guest nation.

The kickoff event featuring Moroccan singer Lala Tamar and the Orquestra Andalusí de Tetuan occurs the night before the MED officially begins, on June 26, at 6.30 pm, in the Solar da Música Nova Auditorium. Several well-known performers, like singer Oum, the Samifati project's Transe Gnawa Express, and Widad Mjama and producer Khalil Epi's artistic creation "Aïta mon amour" originate from this Maghrebian nation. All of this nation's cultural diversity, from dance to music, from crafts to food, will be gathered in the Moroccan souk, in the Claustro do Convento, which will be decorated in a traditional Moroccan manner.


Besides an abundance of melodic themes to celebrate the two decades of MED, the cultural programme is far more extensive, beginning with Cinema MED, which combines cinema with live music. The ‘World Poetry’, the MED Kids area, street entertainment, visual arts, MED Classic stage devoted solely to classical music, and many other aspects are part of a programme that, once again, emphasises the value of surprising its visitors.


Some artists, like fado singer Cristina Branco, fanfare Kumpania Algazarra, and Dubioza Kolektiv, will be returning to the festival. Additionally, commissions, special concerts, and unique meetings between Guinean Eneida Marta and Mozambican Huca are all part of the MED schedule. Examples of such concerts include the Portuguese Albaluna and musician Ahmed Hamdi Moussa, the João Frade Trio and Bosnian Miron Rafajlović. Moreover, the concert by Anthony B, one of the most powerful voices and presences in reggae, will be available to the public of Loulé, and it is sure to be a sold-out event.

These days, there will be a lot to see, hear, feel, and experience. On Sunday, 30 June, there will be an open day with free admission, giving everyone the chance to take in a taste of the MED through international cuisine or entertainment. On Sunday there will also be two showcookings, presented by Associação In Loco and Tertúlia Algarvia. The tickets can be purchased in advance at Bol.pt and Cineteatro Louletano, but they are also available at the MED Ticket Office in Praça da República during the festival days. RTP and RDP are supporting the MED Festival.

Author

After studying Journalism for five years in the UK and Malta, Sara Durães moved back to Portugal to pursue her passion for writing and connecting with people. A ‘wanderluster’, Sara loves the beach, long walks, and sports. 

Sara J. Durães