“Last year we had around 35 thousand visitors during the various days of the fair, this year we have around 50 thousand”, the mayor of Tondela, Carla Antunes Borges, told journalists during the press conference to present the event.
With an investment of 500 thousand euros, this edition of FICTON will have one more day than the previous one and will remain in the space to which it moved last year, in order to guarantee the safety of the public and allow for the holding of large concerts.
“This is an exceptional year, the 30th anniversary [of FICTON] and, therefore, we have invested in a special way, but we are also counting on an increase in revenue, not only in terms of ticket sales but also from sponsors”, explained Carla Antunes Borges.
FICTON was usually held in the area surrounding the municipal pavilion, but last year it moved to the weekly market area.
This year, it will occupy an area of around 30 thousand square metres, occupied by stands for industry, commerce, crafts, an exhibition centre, institutional, children's and entertainment areas, a street food area, an "Ao sabor" space and stages.
The musical line-up includes Fernando Daniel (11 September), Toy (12 September, free entry day), Plutónio (13 September), Carminho (15 September) and Os Quatro e Meia (16 September).
Vera Machado said that the musical line-up will “attract different audiences” and will not forget the local artists and bands, who will perform every day of FICTON.
The Tondelense Philharmonic, the Infantes group, Celso Coelho, the Canal 18 group, The Mortys, Vira Vira – Tributo a Mamonas Assassinas, The Beliervers and Godbless will perform before the main artists, who will then be followed by a DJ.
“The event has been going on for three decades, and over the years it has been consolidated and reinvented, and last year it was given a new, modern and much more welcoming space”, stressed Vera Machado, showing confidence that, in September, Tondela will be “the region’s landmark”.