The Celtic Folk Festival, which was born in 2007 in Ponte da Barca, is back from today until Sunday.
Six bands will pass through the emblematic Largo do Choupal, located between the Lima and Vade rivers: BÖJ, Galandum Galundaina and Budiño, this Friday, and Retimbrar, Jesús Del Castillo and SAL, tomorrow.
According to José Pedro Carneiro, head of the Culture division of the Ponte da Barca City Council, who has been involved in the organization since the first edition, the event has grown from year to year in terms of public turnout and, judging by the latest editions (in 2020 it was not held), about “five to six thousand people” are expected per day.
In addition to the music, a Celtic Fair, which started in 2018, is also returning to the same venue.
Doors open on Friday at 6pm and on Saturday and Sunday at 3pm. Admission is free.
José Pedro Carneiro points out that the event is continuous and allows the public to stay in the enclosure, with reasons to be. “When there is no music, there are activities and animation at the Celtic Fair”, he indicates, referring that a restaurant space also helps to fix people in Largo do Choupal.
The fair includes exhibitors of products such as craft beer, liqueurs, wine, cheese, sausages, soaps and other artisanal products. It will be animated with performing arts and activities inspired by Celtic culture, from poetry recitation to meditation sessions. Celtic “chairs”, which are straw bales, are scattered throughout the lawn.
