Opening of the Regional Festival with support for School Theater and tribute to Freedom

The Jaime Moniz Secondary School opened, today, the XXXII Regional School Theater Festival – Carlos Varela, with the firm purpose of celebrating Theater through the hands of five schools in Madeira that participate in the event, mobilizing dozens of students aged between 10 and 18 years old. The coordinators are the teachers Ana Cristina Afonso, Filipa Moutinho and Vanda Caixas.

The president of the executive board, Ana Isabel Freitas, praised the importance of the Festival and the merit of the coordinators and students who, for more than 32 years, have contributed to the quality of the event. The president of the Executive Council reinforced the idea that ESJM is committed to increasing knowledge that cannot be acquired in the classroom context, such as the expression of artistic activities, of which theater is a good example.

The opening ceremony was attended, in addition to the jury, by the Regional Secretary of Education, Science and Technology, representatives of the Madeira Conservatory -Professional School of Arts – Eng. Luiz Peter Clode, the Municipal Theater Baltazar Dias, the Chamber Municipal do Funchal and the President of the Executive Council of Escola Básica e Secundária da Ponta do Sol. Jorge de Carvalho, Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Technology began by paying tribute to all those who throughout the various editions made their contribution to the Festival of School Theater to assert itself in the regional panorama. He also highlighted the importance of the role of his mentor, Carlos Varela, a reference in theater and RAM. He also congratulated all the schools participating in the event, as well as everyone involved in this edition. He concluded his speech by adding that theater is, therefore, a reference in the educational system, as it prioritizes the comprehensive training of students, develops talents, “in an inclusive, tolerant and supportive school” and forms audiences.

The work of competing schools will be presented from Wednesday onwards. The group O Moniz – Carlos Varela, from Escola Secundária de Jaime Moniz, will make its debut on March 8, at 10 am, with the play, “Piripiri extra forte” by Ana Pessoa. On Thursday, March 9th, at 10:40 am, the group Voo à Fantasia, from EBS Padre Manuel Álvares, brings the play “Um Homem ao Leme-Memória de um povo” by Lília Pereira. Teatro Amarelo da Escola Básica e Secundária da Ponta do Sol, presents the play “Auto da Barca do Inferno” on the same day, at 12pm. On Friday, at 10:40 am, the theater group from Escola Básica e Secundária Professor Dr. Francisco Freitas Branco will be on stage with the play “Os Profetas de Porto Santo”, by Miguel Silva.

At 12:00 pm, the Carmo theater group from EBS Dr. Luís Maurílio Dantas closes the competition with the presentation of the play “TEENS”. The second day of the Festival begins with the play “12 in Fury” by Reginald Rose, presented by the Conservatório-Escola Profissional das Artes da Madeira – Eng. Luiz Peter Clode.

To conclude the opening session of this edition, the Machico Theater Group brought us, by Ricardo Brito, the play “Acordai!”, a work that recalled the conquest of freedom of the Portuguese people.