Funchal Music Fest live 2011 is an ambitious project that aims to put in the map the island of Madeira, its own capital and musicians from Madeira in the national and international summer festival circuit. The organization endorses the creation of a complex theme park located in Santa Catarina with about 36 000m2, which will have not only the main stage for the invited artists, but also a recreational area with a mechanical bull and a place for gladiators and still an area catering for approximately 6200 people expected in this compound every day of music sung in Portuguese. The countdown has begun ...
How did you come with the idea of organizing a music festival, a version of rock in Rio on an island?
Duarte Costa: There was no summer music festival. There are many events out there, but not the true concept of pop-rock festival. People make vacation on purpose for such initiatives, celebrate with friends and family music and the fact of being in an environment that also has fun activities. The concerts which already exists with great expression in mainland I wanted to do it here, given our size. It is a universe of 270,000 people, in August is a little more, because of immigrants. But, in any form is always limited. Santa Catarina park was chosen not only because it lies at the heart of the city, but because it is an ex-libris of Funchal. It is a magnificent natural setting with views over the sea, is an amphitheater ideal for this type of initiative, which also aims to draw attention to the city and catapult it to the national summer festival circuit. Encourage people who like music to come into Madeira.
But for them to come over, are there any special offers with some airlines for the event?
DC: Yes, there is such an agreement, because it involves a high cost in terms of air travel and accommodation. Funchal Music Fest created a package that includes three day ticket, accommodation and airfare, which allow the feasibility of such initiatives.
I noticed that the poster is packed with big names in Portuguese music, that's the purpose?
DC: Yes, Indeed. Portugal has quality at national level and people recognize that. Obviously we have to have an international band to serve as an anchor and so we can be heard and discussed at an international level. It's another way for the festival to be known outside and move to that level the city been recognized abroad. The choice fell primarily on the quality and alignment of the bands with established artists. Nothing better than a festival with music in our language.
One of the mottos of Funchal Music Fest is sustainability. To what extent you have this environmental aspect?
DC: We have various facets of sustainability. There is the environmental and financial. The first event deploit was in the 19th of March that was the day of the official start of the Funchal Music Fest live 2011.The festival is a movement, that is, not limited to these three day concert. It has a vocation and ability to move, call people's attention to certain areas that deserve greater expressiveness and which demands from the public a greater awareness. It is the specific case of the Ecological Park of Funchal (EPF), he is the great heart of the city as a citizen and I do not know about the activities that take place there and what it represents to Funchal in terms of tourism and social. EPF is truly unique for its biodiversity but also for its sports and leisure activities that anyone can enjoy this natural area.
But to what extent the FMF live '11is dedicated in helping the environment?
DC: The first step lies with the fans. The kit has three days a set of offers and at the same time are contributing to a tree will be planted for reforestation of the park. This protected area not only suffered the consequences of floods of February 2010 that drew many trees in the slips, as well as the fire that occurred the same year and destroyed a large expanse of forests. 92% of the park was ravaged by flames. Nothing better than to use this great engine of music to raise awareness, and civic spirit of mutual aid and solidarity that we saw in February last year. If fans want to play a more proactive action we create a nursery. Plants cannot be placed directly in soil, water and require closer monitoring are taking place in October, when the highest rainfall on the island. We catalog the trees, each plant receives the person's name and in the end is placed in a park area, called Funchal Music Fest. I hope that when people go there feel the spirit of music in the air. These small gestures and actions transmit large messages.
Another strand is the social solidarity and we have several initiatives in this area. Xutos and Pontapes are going to visit a sick child, because she is a big fan of the group and this is one of her dreams to know the musicians. Nothing better to provide this opportunity as they are coming any way to the island. Another initiative is to use a white guitar with the symbol of FMF live '11 that will be autographed by the musicians involved, with the objective being auctioned off at a party we held in September. These are small gestures that will give color and cemented to Funchal Music Fest and the community.
Speaken on financial sustainability. How does that work?
DC: It is the involvement of many entities. This project is 100% funded by private investment, which is to praise for. Public support is logistical, the availability of space and emergency teams. All direct and indirect costs had the support and sponsorship of private entities. They are leading companies of our regional economy.
It was difficult to get support?
DC: Not at all. They were all susceptible to the concept of the initiative from the outset. The only constraint that exists is the current economic climate does not help anything. The partnerships we raised are of medium and long term and we believe that the next edition will give a bigger jump in quality.
And for next year what can we can expect?
DC: In fact we are already working on the next edition. One aspect that we intend to improve is the casting of local bands. It was really good and gave then visibility to the eight participating groups to show their worth. The winner will do the honors to open the festival. We are considering having a band Madeira every day, because we believe that there is sufficient quality to make this leap in a sustainable manner. Everything will depend on the alignment of the next year. The bet remains on the Portuguese music, part of our body as festival. Another news that we are considering, since next year the day of the city is on Monday, is to have a four-day festival. It is a situation that is under study, depends on sponsorship and the public itself that will come to this year. It is still an embryonic idea.
http://www.funchalmusicfest.com/
