Fafe Theatre-Cinema

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Theatre

District: Braga > Fafe > Fafe > Bairro da Cumieira

Location

The Fafe Theatre-Cinema is located in the urban area of Bairro da Cumieira, a central part of the town of Fafe. Its presence stands out in the city's environment, being one of the buildings of greatest architectural and cultural interest in Fafe's urban landscape. Its position is easily recognizable within the urban fabric.

A Centenary Legacy

The history of this remarkable cultural venue dates back to a more primitive theatre that existed on the same site since 1881. Initially, it hosted national and international theatre companies, and from 1912, the first cinematographic projections. However, after about four decades of activity, the original building closed down.

The vision of Fafe's philanthropist José Summavielle Soares was crucial for the construction of the current Theatre-Cinema, inaugurated in 1924. This new space was conceived with the best conditions of its time, quickly becoming a cultural and recreational landmark. Besides the arts, the building played an important civic role, functioning as a bulwark of democracy throughout the 20th century, never having hosted propaganda from the Salazarist regime.

After a period of degradation and closure in 1981, the Theatre-Cinema was acquired by the municipality in 2001 and underwent a profound rehabilitation. It was reinaugurated in 2009, with the addition of an annexed multi-purpose room, named in honour of filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira, and celebrated its centenary in 2024.

Eclectic Architecture

The façade of the Fafe Theatre-Cinema is an example of eclectic architecture, where Neo-Baroque and Neoclassical influences harmonize. Brick-coloured, it displays rich decoration with paintings alluding to the arts, Greek medallions, and figures of angels, both winged and unwinged, holding garlands and festoons, intertwined with draperies. A Neo-Baroque balcony with sinuous ornaments, supported by corbels, stands out, and the façade is crowned by a curved pediment that emerges from the semicircular elevation of the cornice.

Inside, the main hall adopts a horseshoe shape, characteristic of Italian-style theatres, with a richly decorated vaulted ceiling. The ceiling paintings celebrate famous musicians of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Mozart and Chopin. The arrangement of the boxes and friezes, together with the balcony supported by eight columns, creates a remarkable visual harmony, giving a distinct atmosphere to the stage area.

A Cultural Meeting Point

Currently, the Fafe Theatre-Cinema maintains its vocation as a dynamic cultural center. The space hosts a vast and diverse program encompassing music, singing, dance, cinema, theatre, conferences, and exhibitions. Its integration into the Portuguese Network of Theatres and Cineteatres underscores its strategic role in promoting culture and the arts, not only in Fafe but also in the region and the country.

With its capacity to host different genres and audiences of all ages, the Fafe Theatre-Cinema continues to be a vibrant place for artistic enjoyment and a meeting point for the community and for visitors to the city, reinforcing the value of culture as an integral part of daily life.

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