Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal, July 29, 2024 (Lusa) - The Folk Azores International Folklore Festival of Azores, which runs from 11 to 18 August, will this year feature 11 groups from abroad - fewer than in previous editions, due to a lack of seats on flights to and from the archipelago at affordable prices, according to organisers.

"The lack of flights to Terceira Island is worrying," said Cesário Pereira, president of the Organising Committee for International Festivals on Terceira Island (COFIT), in a statement to Lusa. "This year, SATA [Azores airlines] didn't want to give us the two extra flights we used to have: it put the groups on regular flights. By putting them on regular flights, it takes tourism away from Terceira Island." 

The 38th edition of Folk Azores has 12 folklore groups taking part, including 11 from abroad, namely Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Slovakia, Spain, France, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Peru, Poland and Romania.

According to Pereira, it is the groups themselves that pay for their travel to the Azores and there are always interested parties, but this year the lack of availability of seats on aeroplanes has caused some difficulties.

The group from North Macedonia, he noted, is paying €1,800 per person to travel from their country to Terceira: "Due to the lack of flights to Terceira island from Lisbon, this group has to travel from their country to Lisbon, take a train journey to Porto and then from Porto to Terceira island."

The COFIT president claims that SATA used to make extraordinary flights available, but this year it did not and the price of tickets on regular flights doubled.

"Both flights were full last year, both inbound and outbound, and yet SATA says it's making a loss," he said. "I don't understand how, because they were the ones who came up with the prices."

Even with the higher cost, foreign groups were still interested in coming, but with no seats available that means their family members and companions cannot come to the island, nor visitors who might see the festival as a tourist attraction, according to Pereira.

"If the regional government itself, through the secretary [of tourism, mobility and infrastructure], says that this should be moved to the winter, I'm at a loss for words," he said.

Organisers provide food, accommodation and ground transport on the island for the groups taking part, but they must fund travel to the Azores themselves.

"The festival, due to its quality and organisation, is fortunately well recognised internationally," said the president of COFIT.

Folklore groups from 60 countries have already taken part in the festival in Terceira, and this year Peru, Montenegro and North Macedonia are being showcases for the first time.

"It's a goal we've achieved every year," said Pereira. "To bring new cultures, to show these cultures to the people of the Azores, and Terceira Island in particular, so that they can broaden their horizons and also have a way of going abroad [while] staying here."

The event, which according to organisers is "the largest international folklore festival in the country," is certified by the International Council of Folklore and Traditional Arts Festivals Organisations (CIOFF) and the International Organisation for Folklore (IOV).

It is financially supported by the Azores regional government and various private organisations, as well as the Angra do Heroísmo city council, which this year tripled the amount allocated to it, to €60,000 from €20,000 last year.

In addition to the 11 international groups, Folk Azores also features the Doze Ribeiras Folkloric Group from Terceira Island, which is celebrating 50 years of activity, representing Portugal.

The festival includes parades in the island's two cities, galas at the Angrense Theatre and performances at the handicrafts and traditional flavours fair in Cerrado do Bailão.

The closing show, which brings all the groups together, will take place at the Angra do Heroísmo municipal sports pavilion.

The Folk Azores Orchestra, made up of all the musicians from the participating groups, will also be presented for the first time.

CYB/ARO // ARO.

Lusa