From 5th to 7th July, about twenty-five thousand people experienced, in Pinhal Novo, a weekend of giants. The 10th FIG - Festival Internacional de Gigantes (International Festival of Giants) provided, for three days, more than 30 shows, where contemporary and traditional animated forms, physical theatre and objects strongly prevailed.
The Festival area, between Largo José Maria dos Santos and Praça da Independência, was filled with music, dance, performances, parades and other shows, from Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Syria, Brazil, Argentina and China, with a strong involvement of local groups.
The big Saturday evening parade featured more than 500 participants, including machines, “gigantones”, “cabeçudos”, percussion orchestras, bagpipers and even “olharapos”, which were very popular during Expo 98, in Lisbon.
Organized by the Municipality of Palmela with its Bardoada partners – O Grupo do Sarrafo, ATA - Acção Teatral Artimanha, Associação Juvenil COI e PIA - Projectos de Intervenção Artística, the Festival had several types of support, from local associations and economic agents, from Escola Zeca Afonso, from Pinhal Novo Parish Council, among others. FIG integrates "Palmela é Música", Palmela's application to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the area of Music.
One week before FIG, there was a time for training on the making of traditional animated figures.
Since it is a biennial Festival, the next reunion with the giants will take place during the first weekend of July 2021.
