When I first stepped into the cork oak woodland of Cotifo back in October 2021 for the inaugural Emraizart Festival, I was immediately enchanted by the delighted squeals of children, scarlet aerial silks hanging like magical threads between majestic trees, and young hands planting acorns in the earth. Since then, that woodland wonderland has blossomed into a cherished annual gathering.
Now celebrating its sixth edition, the festival continues to weave together performing arts, environmental consciousness, and community roots. I spoke with artistic director Berna Huidobro to discuss how the festival has grown, its focus on multiculturalism, and what visitors can discover in the forest this year.
Since my first visit in 2021, Emraizart has reached its sixth edition. How has the festival evolved over the years?
Berna: Emraizart has developed a deep network with our partners, from the Município de Lagos to many cultural associations. Emraizart now belongs to all of us, like a big family. Our team is larger and more confident, and the festival is widely recognised. Our educational reach has expanded significantly: in the beginning, our school programme welcomed children from 1st to 4th grade, but this year we reach up to 9th grade. We have also dedicated a specific day to alternative education, private schools and social institutions.
The festival takes place in a cork oak woodland in Cotifo rather than a conventional venue. What does this setting bring to the experience?
Berna: The setting is the core of the event. The pillars of the festival are artistic education, nature, and the bridges we create between them. Preserving nature and knowing our Algarvian landscape are fundamental to our philosophy. It creates encounters between the countryside and cities, bringing the little village of Cotifo to life. Children learn without walls, observing the life cycle of the forest and recognising how the landscape changes year by year.
This year’s programme emphasises multiculturalism with artists from Portugal, Argentina, France, Germany and Brazil. What does this international dimension add?
Berna: Being international has been part of our identity since the first edition. It brings multiculturalism as a multiple perspective, allowing diverse people to feel recognised through artistic experiences. Furthermore, our performances rely primarily on physical theatre, movement and the body. This universal language allows us to welcome deaf visitors as well as international audiences without language barriers.
Are there specific performances in this year’s lineup that you are especially excited about?
Berna: The entire programme is exciting! Lucia Merlino from Argentina brings acro-dance with live coffee painting. We also welcome Philippe Phénieux from France, a master mime with 30 years of experience whose own festival inspired Emraizart. And we are fortunate to host Chris and Iris from Germany, who are one of Europe’s most recognised hand-to-hand acrobat duos. Through our Bora Cultura programme, we also showcase emerging artists from the Algarve.
Sustainability is one of your core values. How do you protect the forest while hosting the festival?
Berna: Setup takes three weeks because we carefully listen to nature, watching where roots and baby trees grow. We limit daily attendance so there are never more people than trees. We use dry toilets, raise awareness about saving water, and clean the forest. Strategically, the festival takes place just before the rainy season begins, allowing nature to regenerate right after our human presence.
Read the original article here tomorrowalgarve.com/dec-2021-if-you-go-down-to-the-woods
Event information
Dates and location:
6–13 October in the cork oak forest of Cotifo, Bensafrim (Lagos).
School and group days:
6, 7, 12 and 13 October are for public schools in Lagos (free admission). 8 October is dedicated to private schools, social institutions and non-formal education groups (€7.00 per child).
Family weekend:
10–11 October, open to the general public from 3 pm to 8 pm. The weekend features circus, physical theatre, mime, world music with DJ Kali, and a concert by Sambambas.
Workshops:
Morning workshops for adults and youth include Dramaturgy for Children with Manuela Pedroso (Saturday, 10 am) and Dramatic Corporeal Mime with Philippe Phénieux (Sunday, 10 am) (€25.00, includes daily festival pass).
Information and registration:
