Cooperation Protocol brings Foundation, Conservatory and Clave de Sul together in Querença

• Oral songbook gives rise to a festival named after Maria Aliete Galhoz and Idália Farinho, with annual awards for research and interpretation

The great and valuable cultural heritage of the Algarve mountains, centered on the Querença Christmas Songbook, is what immediately stands out most in the Cooperation Agreement signed between the Fundação Manuel Viegas Guerreiro, the Conservatório de Música de Loulé - Francisco Rosado and the Clave de Sul - Associação Musical de Loulé. The agreement, signed very recently on August 21st by the three entities, foresees the joint organization of an annual festival whose research and interpretation awards are intended to be a long-overdue tribute to the two main researchers and collectors of the traditional Christmas romanceiro of the Algarve mountains – Maria Aliete Galhoz and Idália Farinho. 

The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Fundação Manuel Viegas Guerreiro, in Querença, with the following signatories participating: the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the aforementioned Foundation, João da Silva Miguel; the President of the Board of Directors of Da Clave de Sul, Aurélia Fernandes; the Secretary-General of this institution, Carlos Albino Guerreiro; and the Director of the Conservatório de Música de Loulé, professor and pianist Sérgio Leite.

The protocol in general aims to establish the bases for cultural and educational cooperation between the parties, namely in joint actions of development, research, dissemination, promotion, and musical, cultural, and artistic enjoyment in the region. The three institutions commit to promoting organ music and orchestral and/or choral music, specifically through events.

The agreement stipulates that, with the support of the Conservatory, Clave de Sul, and the mobilization of the Foundation, masterclasses and workshops will be organized for students, taught by specialists in organ music or other musical instruments. Furthermore, through the commitment of the partnerships, the aim is to promote research, as well as the musical heritage and repertoire of the Querença region, giving rise to specialized concerts, the publication of books and records, or the organization of cycles or conferences that indelibly distinguish the richness of the songbooks transmitted from generation to generation.

It should also be noted that, with this protocol, the three entities intend to support and stimulate excellent musical learning for the formation of choirs specialized in the interpretation of the songbook existing in the Querença region, through basic courses in solfège, music theory, and related instrumental support, at the initiative of the Foundation, ensuring the collaborative effort of Clave de Sul and the Conservatório de Música de Loulé.

Loulé, August 25, 2025

The Director

Sérgio Leite