The Associação de Juventude Viola da Terra once again marked World Children’s Day with a series of activities that celebrated music, education, and intergenerational connection through one of the Azores’ most cherished cultural symbols: the Viola da Terra.
The commemorations included a special student recital in Fajã de Baixo and an educational outreach session at the Canto da Maia Basic and Secondary School, continuing the association’s longstanding commitment to promoting Azorean musical heritage among younger generations.
The first event took place on May 27 at the Noble Hall of the Fajã de Baixo Parish Council, where students from the Viola School of Fajã de Baixo gathered for the annual Children’s Day Recital. The event featured twelve students ranging in age from 12 to 79 years old, a reflection of the association’s unique ability to bring together different generations through a shared love of music.
Supported by the Parish Council of Fajã de Baixo, which hosts the school’s weekly classes and sponsored a community gathering following the performance, the recital showcased the musical progress students have made throughout the academic year. Participants performed both individually and in groups, demonstrating their growing mastery of the traditional Azorean instrument.
One of the most memorable moments came at the conclusion of the recital, when all the students joined together to perform two pieces as an ensemble. The collective performance highlighted the spirit of cooperation and the strong intergenerational bonds that have become a hallmark of the Viola da Terra schools.
The concert also featured special appearances by students who play additional instruments, including clarinet and violin. These collaborations created unique musical dialogues between the Viola da Terra and other instruments, adding variety and richness to the program while showcasing the diverse talents of the participants.
Since 2015, the Associação de Juventude Viola da Terra has organized Children’s Day recitals as a way of celebrating both youth and cultural heritage. Over the years, these performances have been held in a variety of venues, including the Church of the College, the Noble Hall of the Teatro Micaelense, the Ponta Delgada Regional Conservatory, and the Fajã de Baixo Parish Council. During the pandemic years, the tradition continued through online performances, ensuring that the celebration of music and community remained uninterrupted.
Complementing the recital, the association also organized an educational awareness session at an occupational education class at the Canto da Maia School. Led by musician, educator, and Viola da Terra advocate Rafael Carvalho, the session introduced students to the history, cultural significance, and unique characteristics of the instrument.
Students, teachers, and support staff had the opportunity to see the instrument up close and even try playing it themselves. The session concluded with the distribution of educational materials and gifts, including coloring activities featuring illustrations of the 12-string and 15-string Viola da Terra, the two traditional versions of the instrument found throughout the Azores.
Through initiatives such as these, the Associação de Juventude Viola da Terra continues to demonstrate that cultural preservation is not merely about safeguarding traditions from the past. It is also about inspiring new generations to discover, appreciate, and carry forward the sounds and stories that define Azorean identity.
By bringing children, adults, educators, musicians, and communities together around the Viola da Terra, the association is helping ensure that this distinctive instrument—and the cultural heritage it represents—will continue to resonate across the islands for generations to come.
Based on information provided by the Associação de Juventude Viola da Terra. Photo from the Associação.