Azorean musician Evandro Meneses will open the 10th gala of the Iberian Festival Awards (Prémio Ibérico de Festivais) with the two-hearted Viola da Terra and a taste of his project “SOLO9VIOLA.”

For the first time ever held in the Azores, the event will feature Evandro Meneses in two unique moments during the show promoted by APORFEST, which highlights that the Azorean artist “reinvents the Viola da Terra and breathes Azorean culture.” In addition to Evandro Meneses, the lineup includes NAPA, the Madeiran indie pop band that represented Portugal at Eurovision 2025; Aiko El Grupo, a Madrid-based pop-punk artist known for raw energy and ironic lyrics; and Bita, from Toledo, who will serve as the official DJ for the Welcome & Afterparty.

The Iberian Festival Awards will recognize the contributions and achievements of event organizers and other stakeholders in the festival sector in 2025. The initiative aims to strengthen Iberian relations and to optimize, develop, and implement effective partnerships between the two countries. The 2026 edition will take place on March 14 at the Coliseu Micaelense in Ponta Delgada, and tickets are available online. Previous award ceremonies have been held in Lisbon, Maia, Vigo, Granada, Barcelona, and Almancil.

“SOLO9VIOLA” premiered at the Cordas Festival and is being promoted beyond the archipelago by the MiratecArts association. The solo performance has already taken the stage in Spain, Italy, and Uruguay, as well as on seven of the nine islands of the Azores.

From Press Release