Coming from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and various European countries, from north to south, Portugal, Madeira, and the multiple islands of the Azores, a hundred musicians take to the stage at the tenth edition of the Cordas World Music Festival, also known as the Cordas Festival, on Portugal’s highest mountain island.

Throughout the municipality of Madalena do Pico, there will be music from October 1 to 11. From gardens to the headquarters of the festival’s production association, MiratecArts Galeria Costa, and from the Pico Wine Museum to the Cella Bar, the epicenter of the festival is at the Madalena Auditorium Library.

“We are planning 50 public events, in addition to an enviable educational program,” says Terry Costa, artistic director of MiratecArts and the Cordas festival. “In partnership with our Madalena City Council, the center of the festival is in the Madalena Auditorium Library building, with one of the largest stages in the region, and where there is music every day, in addition to exhibitions and the festival store. This is also where the Cordas Academy will take place.”

The Cordas Academy is a new program to celebrate a decade of world music with the Cordas festival. Schools, groups, and individuals have the opportunity to request an hour or two with their favorite artist. “From conversations to masterclasses with unique string instruments, or even with our Viola da Terra, it’s an opportunity unmatched by any other festival,” admits Terry Costa, who also highlights the Cordas Bus event, “where for an afternoon it travels through the parishes of the municipality of Madalena.”

Programs celebrating World Music Day, Viola da Terra Day, 100 Years of Carlos Paredes, 100 Years of the Tenor Guitar, local players and international musicians, album releases, conferences, and even last-minute surprises are promised by the artistic director. You can find the extensive musical program online at festivalcordas.com. The organization encourages you to join them on social media to stay up to date with daily details, available on Facebook at cordasworldmusicfestival and on Instagram at MiratecArts. In addition to the Municipality of Madalena, the Cordas festival has the support of the Regional Directorate for Culture – Government of the Azores, INATEL, and local and international strategic partnerships.

From MiratecArts Press Release