
TERRAS SEM SOMBRA
FESTIVAL DO ALENTEJO
SEASON 21
AUTHORS, PERFORMERS, MUSES:
THE ETERNAL FEMININE AND THE CONDITION OF WOMEN IN MUSIC (13th–21st CENTURIES)
MARCH TO DECEMBER 2025
​“O Alentejo não tem sombra,
senão a que vem do céu;
Assente-se aqui, menina,
à sombra do meu chapéu.”
(moda popular)

Next Concert:
September 13th — 9:30 PM
BEJA
Municipal Theatre Pax Julia
Long Live Peace! Music for the Royal Fireworks, by G. F. Handel
OCAS — ORQUESTA DE CÁMARA SOLIDARIA
Soprano HANNA DEL CANTO
Musical Direction MANUEL PAZ
HERITAGE
The Craft of the Luthier:
Building String Instruments in Trindade
September 13th — 3:00 PM
TRINDADE
Meeting point
R. José Mariano dos Reis, n.º 36,
Trindade
Activity guided by
JOSE ANTÓNIO CARDOSO
AND PAULO CARDOSO
Luthiers
BIODIVERSITY
Soups, Açordas and Migas: From Sustainable Gastronomy to Regional Identity
September 14th — 9:30 AM
BALEIZÃO
Meeting point
Beja Indoor Swimming Pools
Activity guided by
ANA DE ALBUQUERQUE PIEDADE
Professor at Escola Superior de Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Beja
Terras sem Sombra Festival
Established in 2003, the Terras sem Sombra Festival is a civil society initiative dedicated to showcasing the Alentejo region, renowned for its exceptional environmental, cultural, and scenic qualities, and recognised as one of Europe’s best-preserved territories. True to the values and mission that have guided it since its foundation, the Festival maintains its itinerant nature, with an emphasis on cultural decentralisation, audience development, inclusion, and sustainability. The programme includes classical music concerts, masterclasses, conferences, visits to cultural heritage sites, and biodiversity conservation initiatives — all free of charge and open to the public.
The Festival bridges historical masterpieces with contemporary artistic expression, supports emerging composers and performers, regularly commissions new works, promotes interdisciplinary arts, collaborates with the scientific and technological sectors, revives musicological heritage, deepens the understanding of regions and local communities, and embraces an ecumenical vision of the Sacred.
Recent seasons have seen an enhanced international presence, welcoming guest countries such as the United States, Brazil, Spain, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Italy, and the Philippines. Additionally, initiatives like Terras sem Sombra Kids offer educational and entertaining experiences for young audiences and families.
One Festival, Three Dimensions

Music
Each edition of the Festival features a classical music season with acclaimed national and international performers. Renowned repertoires, spanning from the medieval to the contemporary, are showcased in churches and historic sites across Alentejo, selected for their acoustics and cultural significance.
Heritage
The Festival celebrates and promotes the safeguarding of the Alentejo’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. From Cante singing to the art of making cowbells, from civil and religious architecture to archaeology, from cork oak woodlands to artisanal fishing, the region’s heritage comes to life through activities that invite participants to explore its rich cultural diversity, guided by local experts and specialists.


Biodiversity
The Festival is equally committed to raising awareness of the landscapes, ecosystems, and natural resources of the region, recognising that knowledge is essential to appreciation and preservation. Local communities, audiences, and artists are invited to take part in outdoor activities that highlight the most critical, fascinating, and authentic aspects of the territory — fostering a deeper connection with and commitment to biodiversity conservation.
Mission
The Terras sem Sombra Festival seeks to:​
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Expand access to culture and the arts in rural and low-density regions;
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Position the Alentejo region within European cultural and artistic networks, while strengthening its identity;
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Build, broaden, and diversify audiences;
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Promote and safeguard cultural memory, and raise awareness of biodiversity protection.
Values
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Respect and authenticity in celebrating and preserving the region and its communities;
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Empathy and inclusion in appreciating local uniqueness;
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Accessibility and equality in engaging with all audiences;
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Cooperation and solidarity with all internal and external stakeholders.
Sustainable Development Goals

Terras sem Sombra International Award

The Terras sem Sombra International Award, established in 2011, honours individuals or institutions globally recognised for their outstanding contributions in the following categories: Music Promotion, Cultural Heritage Enhancement, and Biodiversity Conservation.
The award consists of a diploma and a commissioned contemporary artwork, presented annually at a formal ceremony led by distinguished national or international figures.

Country of Honour

FUNDED BY


INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

































SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL PARTNERS










MEDIA & COMUNICATION PARTNERS










