Saturday was completely sold out
Loulé is celebrating another successful edition of its MED Festival, which was held between June 29 and July 1 and attracted thousands of visitors to the town’s historic centre.
“Streets filled with people, stages with enthusiastic audiences, unusual spaces serving as platforms for the most surprising artistic expressions… That’s how it was throughout the three days, but it was especially on Saturday that MED experienced another one of its historic crowds and was sold out,” Loulé Council says in a statement to the press.
The festival is famous for its eclectic musical line-up, which features artists from all over the world. There are also film screenings, poetry readings, street performances and exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists.
“The thousands of visitors who come to Loulé during these days take away a unique experience from here, unlike what happens with other festivals in the country. First and foremost, it’s the atmosphere in the old town of the city, where the Islamic legacy is felt in every cobblestone, especially in the Islamic Baths. But there’s also a certain authenticity associated with the Mediterranean imaginary, blending with the sounds and the diverse and multicultural cultural program presented, making it distinctive and multidisciplinary,” the council adds.
According to the festival’s director Carlos Carmo, MED is a festival that exists “outside the mainstream, and that makes all the difference.
“People come here not only for the artists but especially for the combination of sensory experiences they can have, which doesn’t happen in other events. We are very happy because once again, we were able to provide these enriching experiences to those who came here, whether through music or simply enjoying an Arab dish, reading a poem, watching a film, dancing in an improvised disco in a backyard, or meeting friends from different parts of the world,” he says.
The festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2024 and the significant milestone will not be forgotten.
“We are highly committed to making it a great edition, and that’s why we are preparing some surprises. For the first time, we will have a foreign country as a guest, and the first one will be Morocco. They are our neighbors, with a different cultural geography that we should get to know better. But there will be much more to celebrate this moment, and soon we will start announcing what is planned,” says Loulé mayor Vítor Aleixo.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
