Center for the Valorization of Campaniça Viola and Improvised Singing

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Community Centre

District: Beja > Odemira > São Martinho das Amoreiras > Quinta dos Carvoeiros

Location

The Centre for the Valorisation of the Viola Campaniça and Improvised Singing is located in São Martinho das Amoreiras, a small village situated in the municipality of Odemira. Located in the Quinta dos Carvoeiros area, this space benefits from a rural setting characteristic of the Alentejo interior, offering an authentic perspective of the region's landscape and daily life.

A Musical Legacy of Alentejo

This centre is dedicated to the Viola Campaniça, a string musical instrument with a unique sound, deeply rooted in the popular culture of Alentejo. The viola, with its characteristic soundbox, is one of the sonic symbols of this region. It frequently accompanies Cante de Improviso (Improvised Singing) and popular poetry, oral manifestations where spontaneity and verbal skill join the melody.

Both expressions (the viola's music and improvised singing) represent a valuable intangible heritage, transmitted from generation to generation, which the centre aims to preserve and vitalize.

The Centre's Purpose

The main objective of the Centre for the Valorisation of the Viola Campaniça and Improvised Singing is to ensure the continuity and visibility of these cultural traditions. Through various initiatives, the space seeks to safeguard local identity, ensuring that knowledge about the viola and singing remains alive and accessible. It serves as a hub for learning and study, promoting the training of new instrumentalists and singers, encompassing both the local community and others interested in deepening their knowledge of this Alentejo legacy.

Space for Culture and Knowledge

The building houses an exhibition area, where visitors can explore the history of the Viola Campaniça and understand its importance in the context of Improvised Singing. In addition to the exhibitions, the centre includes a space dedicated to the construction of the Viola Campaniça, an opportunity for visitors to observe the artisanal process that brings this instrument to life.

There is also a patio, suitable for outdoor cultural activities, which complements the experience, allowing visitors to enjoy the atmosphere while immersing themselves in local sounds and stories. The creation and maintenance of this centre result from a joint effort of various regional entities, demonstrating the local commitment to valuing its heritage.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt