Leonard Cohen hails Portugal as a peaceful country.

On thursday the 30th of July Leonard Cohen performed another masterpiece performance. Portuguese people and holiday makers of all ages were treated to a wonderful evening of classic music by the folk legend.

It appeared, however, that the music icon was the one who felt most privelaged. Portugal has become a favourite performance destination for many musicians and singers. Not only do they appreciate the glorious weather or beautiful beaches, but many artrists have been touched by the hospitality and enthusiasm of the Portuguese audience.

I made the trip up to Lisbon from Sao Marinho Do Porto for the spectacle and I was not disappointed. The maestro himself clearly overwhelmed by the reception he received was very vocal about his experience of the people and the country.

"In a world full of chaos and pain, it is wonderful to visit a peaceful country" these words sincerely spoken by Leonard Cohen were received with raptous cheers and applause from a grateful audience.

An amazing evening, guided by the peace and love between a man and a wonderful country.

by Dylan Herholdt

Fairy tales on ice in Nazare

Timeless fairy tales, represented on skates, will return to the stage of Nazare's theatre this summer

From the 30th to 31st of July the show returns to display a skating animated version of "The House of Chocolate", inspired by the famous children's tale by Hansel and Gretel." Produced by the Company Palco Partilhado, dedicated to the creation of spectacles in skates, and with the participation of several skaters of the county of Nazare, "The House of Chocolate" has been seen by more than 30 thousand people, from North to South.

This show starts on the 30th at 3 pm, and on the 31st includes two sessions, at 10am and 3 pm for groups of children in ATL (as in leisure time activities for kids), sporting holidays, etc.., and for families.

On the 12th and 13th of August, the same theatre receives the premiere debut of the show "Snow White in the Enchanted Forest," an adaptation of the immortal story of the Grimm brothers. In a fantastic realm of joy and colour, lived with her father a beautiful princess of black hair and skin as white as snow… All were happy until the arrival of a mysterious woman who captured the love of the King. His envy and evil leaded to Snow White living unimaginable adventures in the company of some new friends.

"Snow White in the Enchanted Forest" is a creative fusion of the beauty of skating with various artistic fields, where each scene comes alive with the artistry of the skaters.
The show, about 75 minutes in duration, will have three sessions: March 12, at 15h and 21.30h, and 13th at 21.30h. The tickets vary from five Euros (for schools) and 15 Euros (family ticket).

Families will be flocking from nearby places like, Sao Martinho Do Porto, Obidos, Lourinha, Foz De Arelho and Caldas Da Rainha to see the spectacle on ice and most probably to cool off from hot, sunny days on the beach.

Silver Coast, animation at any time you choose…

By Ricardo Santo

Toumast brings sounds of the Sahara Desert to the Silver Coast

The guitarist and leader of Toumast, Moussa Ag Keynes, former member of the Tuareg guerrillas, will be with his band at the Praca da Republica in Caldas da Rainha (Silver Coast) on August 1, 10:30 p.m. This will be the first time that Toumast plays in Portugal and should be the last concert of a tour that has already passed through Belgium, Denmark, France, Spain and Holland, among others.

This band takes influences of Sahara’s tuaregues "trance" and mixtures with "blues" of the desert, all with the help of electric guitars. At 15 years of age, Moussa Ag Keynes left his life as a pastor to join the Front for the Touareg Liberation and music then became part of that struggle. In the early 90s, Moussa Ag Keynes, seriously injured, was transported to France where he went to live and develop the project Toumast. Then he promised to himself: "There was a time when I fought with a gun, now I have to fight with my new weapon: the guitar." The name of the project means identity. "

I chose this name because all you I did in the war had to do with the Tuareg identity," explains the artist. Part of the band is his wife Aminata Goumas (voice, ulula, plays gourd, darabuka, Djembe and electric guitar) as well as producer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Levy.

The debut album "Ishumar" was recorded in 2006. The songs contain precious motives to the touaregs: the nostalgia of their nomadic life, love, the bitter taste of exile and the political criticism.

By Ricardo Santo

Open doors on the Silver Coast

Being from South Africa you get used to staying in doors after certain hours, you get used to the fact that you can't walk to the shops or to a friends house after 8pm, you get used to the fact that you have to drive everyhwere and you get used to the fact that when you go to sleep you have to lock the gate, lock the door, lock the security gate behind the door, lock the security gate in the passage, put on the alarm and even then, after you've done everything short of planting land mines in your front garden you still have a restless sleep worrying about intruders coming in the night. This is normal for people who live in South Africa.

So imagine my surprise when I moved to a place where I could walk on the beach, walk on the street, walk to the pub at any hour I choose. This is an odd experience for someone like me, but one that I now embrace. The other night I was walking back to my apartment through Sao Martinho Do Porto at around 11:50pm and I was amazed at how many houses and apartments I walked past where the doors were open, wide open! Never mind no security gates or no bars on the windows, but the front doors were open. It just makes me smile, I'm living in a place where people leave there front doors open at night.


This is a truly amazing place, beautiful, safe ........ home.



By Dylan Herholdt

Obidos (Silver Coast) Opera Festival tickets already available

Those interested in purchasing tickets for the VI Opera Festival of Obidos, held during August, can do it through the web site, with the option of choosing your own seat. The magnificent scenery of the village of Obidos, at “Cerca do Castelo” (in Castle walls) is the venue of the 2009 Opera Festival.

The cantata "Carmina Burana," a masterpiece of German composer Carl Orff, is the inaugural concert of the event, on day 1, performed by the National Theatre Company of San Carlos.

Next, on the 14th and 21st, will be the turn of the Opera "Nabucco" and "Rigoletto", written by Giuseppe Verdi. In Obidos, this production is the responsibility of the Orchestra of the North. "Rigoletto" was first presented at La Fenice theater in Venice in March 1851, and speaks of human cruelty and abuse of power.

This year also, the Opera Gala on the 15th and on the closing day. The Quinta das Gaeiras will stage on the 7th, the concert "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi. It is recalled that the Festival de Obidos is a pioneering project in the field of opera, offering culture and enhancement of the heritage of both Town and County.

Apart from offering the best outdoor shows, the initiative aims to decentralize the art. But more than that, Obidos and the opera is for everyone.

Outdoor event, so bring a coat, you never know.

Program:
Friday August 1 - 21:30 Inaugural Concert: Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff Around the Castle - Ticket € 20 Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos

Friday August 7 - 21:30 FOUR SEASONS concert of Vivaldi Quinta das Gaeiras - Ticket € 10

Friday August 14 - 21:30 Nabucco, G. Verdi Around the Castle - Ticket € 30 North Orchestra

Saturday 15 August - 21:30 GALA Opera Around the Castle - Ticket € 25 North Orchestra

Friday August 21 - 21:30 Rigoletto, by G. Verdi Around the Castle - € 35 T.C.C. (Tito Celestino da Costa)

History, Arte and Culture highlighted in Nazare, Silver Coast

The legend of D. Fuas Roupinho and the miracles of Our Lady of Nazare are explored in the exhibition at the Municipal Library of Nazare until the 26th July. Situated beach front in Nazare on the Silver Coast in Portugal.

Told by word of mouth over generations, the two stories have brought many pilgrims to the site. But the importance of this place of worship is beyond the boundaries of religious beliefs.

In its interior are preserved valuable works of art, which led the sanctuary to become a reference to the artistic medium. Among them are six paintings - which are examples of the "cycle of great chest". Works by the painter Luis de Almeida are also dosplayed, on the Legend of the Sacred Image of Our Lady of Nazare, and a set of six paintings representing the "Passion of Christ", as well as the panel of tiles eluding to the "Assention of the Virgin" made by Antonio de Oliveira in 1714.

It is also possible to admire two sculptures dating from the sixteenth century, offered by Queen Leonor during a visit to the Shrine in 1520. this exhibition falls within the round of exhibitions on historic and emblematic buildings of Nazare, promoted by the municipality to inform the public and visitors a deeper knowledge of history and cultural backgrounds of the county.

By Ricardo Santo

Silver Coast: Wine, music and chariot tours

The bar “Troca-Tintos” in Obidos, in partnership with wine company “Vale Zias” and chariots company Vale do Oeste, is doing something special on Friday nights in Obidos, from the3rd of July till the end of September.
The proposal includes wine tastings and tours in town, at night, from 10 pm until 2 am.

The “Vale Zias” wine is made from a single variety, the “SyraH”, a wine of excellent taste that has been very well accepted within the restaurant business.

While experiencing the wine produced in Cercal, county of Cadaval, one tastes gourmet cheeses or other treats, and you hear Portuguese popular music, jazz or fado.

In addition, a chariot tours through Obidos for over twenty minutes. Before, after or even during the tasting event, the visitors can travel by chariot through the village of Obidos. Blankets are provided to keep warm.

This partnership promotes local tourism, offering a different dimension, adding another exciting possibility to a Silver Coast visitor. May the enchantment begin….

By Ricardo Santo

Obidos celebrates "Days of Fear, Days of Glory" at the Medieval Festival on the Silver Coast.

The annual Obidos Medieval Festival this year will run from the 16th to 26th of July. This years theme is “Days of fear, Days of Glory” - The atmosphere of celebration and joy that we live in days of glory, in contrast to the days of unrest and doubt motivated by fear of the unknown.
It is this kind of atmosphere that is alive in the Medieval Festival in Obidos where visitors are invited to relive the old days of medieval times.
Considered one of the most symbolic events of the medieval country, the Medieval Festival in 2009 presents itself in an environment of joy, with many flags and colourful panels prepared by the village.

Like previous years, the action is non-stop. There are daily tournaments, by horse and on foot, on working days at 19.00, and the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), 18:00 to 22:00. For years this event has drawn people from all over Portugal as well as other countries who enjoy the 10 days of music, celebration, entertainment, colour, food and drink.

The Medieval Festival in 2009 involves 22 local associations and 17 “tasquinhas” (small rustic restaurants), representing the 9 territories of the county of Obidos.
This popular event is viewed by everyone as a chance for different communities to come together and celebrate the past, present and the future.

Schedule:Weekend - from 12.00 to 24.00

Weekdays - from 17:00 to 24:00

Value of Tickets:

Daily ticket - € 6

Free admission to residents on days 20 to 23, younger than 10 years,

“Via Verde” (free pass)to people dressed for the occasion

By Ricardo Santo

Why is it called the Silver Coast?

Over the last week I have been asked by 3 different clients where the Silver Coast got it's name.

There are many theories, the beautiful white sand at Foz de Arelho, the white cliffs of
Nazare, the deep blue waters of Sao Martinho do Porto or Lourinha, or the World heritage sites of Fatima and Obidos.

The real reason is one that I love and one that I have been fortunate enough to experience. When enjoying one of the glorious beaches on the Silver Coast, at just the right time, the setting sun reflects off the water and gives off the most amazing glow, it illuminates a breath taking silver light.This is one of the things that makes the Silver Coast so unique, so beautiful and a place that more and more people are falling in love with.


Come and see the glow, this is the Silver Coast.

Silver Coast holds First Wine Route Equestrian Tour

The 1st ever Equestrian Wine Route Tour takes place on the 26th of July, at the XXVI Portuguese Wine Festival, which will take place in the Municipal Forest of Bombarral starting on the 18th. Bombarral is a quaint village, set in a magnificent country side location, about 40 minutes from Lisbon and close to Obidos.

The tour is organized by the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firemen of Bombarral with the support of the City Council and the Board of the Town of Bombarral, among others.
The participants will leave towards Quinta da Vila Vicosa, owned by Horse company Julio da Fonseca. The first stop is in the Loridos estate, owned by the company Bacalhaa Wines of Portugal, where they will savour and taste the wine on offer.

The Quinta das Cerejeiras will be the next destination where there will be opportunity to enjoy some of the wines produced by the Agricultural Company of Sanguinhal.
The last stop will be at the Portuguese Wine Festival itself, which will deliver lunch and souvenirs to all participants.

The gathering of the participants will take place in the car park of Rua Verissimo Duarte, near the headquarters of the Sport Clube Escolar Bombarralense, with the tour start being scheduled for 9 o’clock.

By Ricardo Santo

Cycling tour of Portugal starts in Caldas da Rainha, Silver Coast

The 71st edition of the “Volta a Portugal”, otherwise known as the Tour de Portugal, will be taking place between the 5th and 16th of August. After 10 legs we will see a new champion taking over from last year’s winner David Blanco.

This major national sport event will be officially opened on the 4th of August at Rossio, in the area of Baixa Pombalina – Lisbon. The action then begins the next day with the prologue leg at Avenida da Liberdade.

Home to the cycling museum, Caldas da Rainha (Silver Coast) is an excellent choice and will be a great opportunity for all cycling fans to watch the action up, close and personal.

The first, step of this cycling circuit, starts off at the Silver Coast (Caldas da Rainha) and arrives at Castelo Branco.

Yes! Once again, the Silver Coast shows how dynamic and electric it can be.

By Ricardo Santo

Classical music alive and well on the Silver Coast

The XVII Cistermusica - Festival of Music,Alcobaca (Silver Coast), finished in style, as over 700 people from various parts of the country, attended the central hall of the Alcobaca monastery on 20th of June, to hear one of the biggest names in the classic music world, Jordi Savall.
The Spaniard, who has for more than three decades been rediscovering musical treasures to which he gives a new life, played for about an hour and a half in a breath-taking room. Around them, an audience that was left in silence, taken by the sound of the viola of Gamba Savall, one of seven chords built in London in the distant year of 1697.

From Bach to Marin Marais, through Alonso Ferrabosco, Tobias Hvme and some themes of which the author is unknown, in a show called "Les Voix Humaines," Jordi Savall demonstrated why " he alone is one of the most credited for making an instrument from the XVII century capable of moving crowds, "as described Alexandre Delgado, the musicologist who took the artistic direction of Cistermusica. In Alcobaca, 5 minutes from Nazare and 10 minutes away from Sao Martinho Do Porto, Savall found "a venue worthy of the instrument and the artist that plays it."

The significant attendence of the public is proof that "the Cistermusica discovered the ideal formula" - the combination of new with the classic. And a festival that in recent years had been increasingly international, with the presence of several foreign artists, "this year had, undoubtedly, a jump in the national projection, attracting people from various parts of the country, who travelled to Alcobaca specifically for the event.

Cistermusica Junior also succeeded, with a specific schedule for the little ones. "It's been very rewarding to see the number of children in these concerts. You can only like what we know. If the kids learn, from small, to enjoy good music, they will be the tasteful music lovers of tomorrow ", believes the musicologist.
Silver Coast of Portugal, interesting, in more ways than one!

By Ricardo Santo