In just a few days, Festival MED will return. This annual festival has become one of the hotspots for world music in Europe during the summer. Festival Med is set to take place in Loulé, southern Portugal, June 27, 28 and 29.
The festival features more than music, as this story we published earlier this week indicates, Festival Med 2024: Celebrating Two Decades of World Music Magic and Memories. There is a lot to do in Loulé and its surroundings.
We talked to Rita Pina, the press officer for Festival Med about this year’s festival, its history and future.
Can you provide an overview of Festival Med? Is it primarily focused on music, or does it encompass other forms of entertainment and culture as well?
Included in the roadmap of greatest World Music festivals in Europe, Festival MED takes place in the center of the medieval town of Loulé, an area with features that allow the creation of a unique atmosphere, where smells, colors, and flavors blend.
But this is not just a mere music festival. Besides a music program that brings to Portugal the best names in music from around the world, this festival is also a fusion of cultural events, ranging from gastronomy to visual arts, street entertainment, crafts, dance, cinema, poetry, workshops, conferences, environment issues and much more, with the clear aim of disseminating the various cultures of the world. This combination is one of the main advantages that distinguishes the Festival MED from others and is, year after year, a center of attraction for tourists and lovers of World Music.
What can attendees expect in terms of the lineup for Festival Med this year? Could you describe the range of acts and performances scheduled to take place?
This year MED celebrates 20 years of existence, so we made a strong commitment to the line-up. For the first time we will have a guest country, Morocco. We will have a space dedicated to this country, with allusive decoration, artisans working live and where it will be possible to taste typical Moroccan food. Of course, music from this country will also be in focus. Over the three days we will have a Moroccan artist performing on the main stages: Widad Mjama & Khalil Epi (27th June), Oum (28th June) and Samifati presents Transe Gnawa Express (29th June).
In what concerns other highlights, we will have the long-awaited presence of Anthony B. In 2023, Jamaican Anthony B canceled his participation in Festival MED – and the European Tour – due to bureaucratic problems related to his authorization to travel. This year, the reggae artist will not miss this special date and is one of the names that will certainly bring a legion of fans to Loulé.
We will have some returns to this stage, like the Bosnian group, Dubioza Kolectiv or the Palestinians 47 Soul. At a time when the territory of Palestine is being the scene of a war that is leaving the world in shock, the band will certainly bring a message calling for Peace.
For the first time, 2 countries will be represented – Chad, with Afrotronix, and Estonia, with Puuluup.
African music has had a strong presence throughout the years and this edition will be no exception. One of the highlights will be Ballaké Sissoko, the virtuoso Malian kora player, or Tito Paris, Cape Verdean musician, composer and singer, based in Lisbon for several years. He is one of the people most responsible for promoting the music of the “Islands of Morabeza” around the world.
How has Festival Med evolved over the years? From its inception to its current iteration, what significant changes or developments have shaped the festival’s identity and experience?
The Festival has grown since its inception, particularly in terms of spaces. From the shy event of 2004 at Largo do Monumento Enngº Duarte Pacheco, it moved, in the second year, to the Historic Zone of Loulé. The single stage in 2004 became 2 stages in 2005 and there are currently 12 stages at Festival MED.
Over the years, MED developed a differentiating and groundbreaking idea and it has been a reference and quality event, considered a safe bet due to the levels of adherence, notoriety and international popularity now attained. It already has its own identity and a brand image, which stands out across borders, in some thematic festival guides, namely in world music festivals.
The City Hall of Loulé, the MED’s organizer, has been several times recognized and awarded due to the work done in the area of the events, in particular with this Festival. This event has won 10 Iberian Festival Awards.
If you were to introduce someone to Loulé for the first time, what are the must-see attractions within the city? Paint a picture of the essential places that capture the essence and charm of Loulé.
With more than 20 thousand inhabitants, Loulé is today considered one of the main urban centers in the Algarve, a cosmopolitan city that lives between modernity and the remains of its historical past. Loulé has a strong commercial vocation and is increasingly a tourist attraction, despite being more than 10 km from the coast.
The historic center of the city is a must-see for anyone visiting Loulé. Characterized by narrow streets and whitewashed houses, this area extends between the Castle Walls, of Arab origin, and the Main Church.
The Islamic Baths of Loulé, recently set up as a museum, are a true jewel of the city’s heritage. They are the only Islamic baths identified so far in the national territory, and the most complete on the Iberian Peninsula. They are a must-visit place for anyone who visits us.
Another suggestion for anyone coming to Loulé is a visit to Café Calcinha, a historic space in the city, and, naturally, the Municipal Market, an emblematic building, with neo-Arabic architecture that fascinates everyone who visits it.
Are there any local delicacies or specialties that visitors to Loulé shouldn’t miss? Could you share some insights into the unique flavors and dishes that represent the culinary scene of the region?
The Municipality of Loulé offers visitors a panoply of tastes and flavors, resulting from the diversity of production in the agricultural, livestock and fishing fields, as the Municipality covers an extensive area of mountains, barrocal [unique geological landscape] and coastal areas.
Rich and diverse, but simple, the cuisine, and sweets of Loulé are, in fact, values worth discovering.
More than sun and beach, the Municipality of Loulé has to offer all its visitors a rich and varied cuisine, the result of the various influences that result from its privileged geographical location. Exploring Loulé and its traditions involves diving into the fantastic world of its thousand and one flavors, its colorful products and incomparable aromas.
Fish and seafood are one of the specialties, especially cooked in Cataplanas, a typical utensil from the region. Regarding sweets, in addition to regional sweets, based on almonds, figs, carob and orange, we also find Folhado de Loulé, a type of pastry filled with soft eggs.
When it comes to shopping, what are the quintessential crafts or gifts that embody the traditional heritage of Loulé? From artisanal goods to cultural artifacts, what items would make for memorable souvenirs?
With regard to the tradition of craftsmanship in Loulé, it is essential to talk about the “Loulé Criativo” project. This is an initiative that focuses on enhancing the identity of this territory, with creativity and innovation as its driving force. Supports the training and activity of artisans and professionals in the creative sector, contributing to the revitalization of traditional arts and the promotion of new approaches to intangible heritage.
In this sense, a network of studios was created in the city, where it is possible to see artisans working live and purchasing unique products. This is the case of Casa da Empreita (works in palm), Olaria (works in clay) and Oficina do Caldeireiro (works in copper). Here you can find excellent gift suggestions, such as suitcases made from palm, copper jewelry or decorative clay pieces.
Looking ahead to the future, what vision or plans do you have for Festival Med in 2025? Are there any exciting initiatives or developments on the horizon that attendees can anticipate experiencing in the coming years?
The main idea we have for 2025 is to maintain the same commitment to artistic quality, providing unique musical experiences to our audience. And the same is true for other artistic components such as cinema, poetry or visual arts.
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For the latest information about Festival MED 24, including the full lineup, schedule, ticket details and places to visit, it’s best to check the official festival website: https://festivalmed.cm-loule.pt/
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.