Throughout time, all sciences face the challenges of their existence, rethinking their mechanisms of action and updating their functions, considering the reasons for their emergence and journey to the present day. This is what human history is made of: pasts that are not forgotten in the present and shape future actions. This happens through norms, values, and standards that we assimilate with our peers and constantly change. All of this is represented in a tangible and intangible field, forming part of an identity that the community actively builds.
To talk about culture is to talk about who we are. It is visible in everyday manifestations, even in what doesn’t immediately jump out at us. But it’s always there, giving us instructions on our modus operandis. Art, on the other hand, goes beyond what we are. It presents itself in multiple languages. It is constructive and disruptive. It has codes, but it also thrives on breaking them. It is a field that explores creativity, an aesthetic construction, and a form of expression. It makes us see what is not visible. For all these reasons, they are codependent; they can’t live without each other, not even when death separates them.
On October 2, we saw culture and art embraced in the extraordinary celebration – for the Azores – of Viola da Terra Day. It took place at the Atlântida Cine, on the island of Santa Maria, and it was a moment of rare beauty. A stage that gave way to researchers, builders, and players, followed by a concert by two talented artists. Tradition at its best also gave way to a new aesthetic of picking up the viola and making our hearts tremble. They present themselves as “Engengroaldenga” and are two musicians from Santa Maria island – Alexandre Fontes and Rui Resendes – who still give us a lot of joy, even if some of their sounds are heartbreakingly sad. They started out about five years ago. They wander between collecting traditional music from the Azores, as with Artur Santos’ unique work, and recordings of themes found in the Folias do Espírito Santo. It is also the fruit of this research that the name they have adopted comes from, based on a Mariense song in which the revelers conjugate the verb “Engengroaldengadar”.
What should we do with our cultural heritage? Respect it, and don’t be afraid to create something new, perhaps “enigmatic,” as they describe it. Make our heritage grow, not least because – watch out! – an album is about to be released. This is just one example of an archipelago united in the strings that intertwine two hearts from one end to the other. Or all those we want to “engengroaldengar.”

This creative non-fiction writing was published in Portuguese by the newspaper Açoriano Oriental in Ponta Delgada.

“Engengroaldengar” is a word that can signify engineering in the realm of the arts and the blending of various creative spirits.

Folias do Espírito Santo are typical of Holy Spirit feasts. They are creative, artistic events typical of Santa Maria.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks the Luso-American Education Foundation for sponsoring FILAMENTOS.