The Bodo Festival in Pombal will feature 40 cultural agents between July 27 and August 1, with a spotlight on artists Plutónio, The Gift, Gisela João, Resistência and Bonga.
The program combines “tradition and innovation” and includes shows, exhibitions, entertainment, cultural and traditional activities, sports and business, announced the Pombal Town Hall (Leiria district).
Among the various events on offer, it’s worth highlighting the headliners who will be performing on the main stage in Arnado Square. Filarmónica Ilhense com FF (July 27), Plutónio (July 28), The Gift (July 29), Gisela João (July 30), Resistência (July 31) and Bonga (August 1).
According to a note from the municipality, quoting Mayor Pedro Pimpão, one of this year’s new features is the Bodo of Parishes, which aims to “involve all the parishes in the region, so that all citizens can identify with the Bodo celebrations”.
The historic center will also be the focus of activities this year, “in line with a long-standing desire to integrate the Bodo cultural dynamic” into this part of the city.
There will also be the Agro-Bodo, where different breeds of sheep, goats and cattle will be exhibited, and the Bodo dos Pequeninos (Children’s Bodo), with activities for the youngest and various sporting activities.
The festivities, dedicated to Our Lady of Cardal, have a religious devotional component, and the municipality is expecting the participation of a thousand young pilgrims from Poland, the United States of America, Romania and the United Arab Emirates, who will be hosted in Pombal during World Youth Day.
The closing of the Bodo festivities, on August 1, will take place at Pombal Castle, with a moment dedicated to the diaspora, to “pay homage to the municipality’s emigrant community”.
