Outdoor Arts Portugal annually launches a programme dedicated to supporting emerging artists in the creation of original works in the field of outdoor arts and contemporary circus, accompanying all stages from the initial concept to the premiere.

In 2025, this programme takes on a new ambition, broadening its impact by embracing two projects that explore innovative ways of interacting with public spaces and unconventional venues. Through the experimentation of new dramaturgies and a commitment to aesthetic innovation, the programme reaffirms its dedication to opening new creative horizons. To realise this vision, two artists or collectives with distinct approaches will be supported, united by a shared thread: the dialogue between tradition and contemporaneity, offering a renewed perspective on circus in relation to public spaces and alternative contexts for artistic presentation.

The selected participants for this edition are Margarida Montenÿ (curatorial selection) and the Concorda collective (selected through a public call). Both will delve into their creative processes in the coming months, challenging boundaries and reimagining the potential of the arts in dialogue with the places and communities that host them.

Margarida Montenÿ

In 2025, Margarida Montenÿ presents a creation that intertwines contemporary circus with cultural heritage, inspired by the ancestral art of manual bell ringing. This project, which evokes the memory of a fading ritual, employs the technique of vertical rope to reinterpret the sineiros’ movements, translating the strength and delicacy of this craft into an innovative artistic language. Using a self-supporting structure, the work will be designed for public spaces or church interiors, fostering a dialogue between the symbolic architecture of these locations and their historical significance. By blending tradition and contemporaneity, Montenÿ not only honours this intangible heritage but also seeks to raise public awareness of its preservation. The creation aspires to be a hymn to memory and artistic innovation, transcending time and uniting the past and present in a poetic gesture that celebrates history and invites reflection on the value of the intangible.

Concorda

Founded in 2022 in Lisbon, the contemporary circus company Concorda introduces "ConcorDanças" in 2025, a multidisciplinary creation that reimagines tradition with a fresh and innovative perspective. Inspired by traditional village dances, this project interweaves circus techniques, traditional costumes, and Portuguese folk dances, transforming public spaces into vibrant stages of cultural celebration. Combining object manipulation and acrobatics, the piece offers a unique visual and emotional experience, breathing new life into tradition and inviting audiences to rediscover Portugal’s cultural roots. "ConcorDanças" goes beyond celebrating diversity, delving into the connections between past and present, memory and innovation, creating a performance that blends artistic sensitivity with a reflection on collective heritage. This project turns the everyday into a stage and invites communities and audiences to share a moment of celebration, reaffirming the power of the arts to reinvent tradition and build bridges across generations.

The Outdoor Arts Portugal Creation Support Programme is a partnership between Bússola, 23 Milhas (Ílhavo Municipality), and Casa Varela (Pombal Municipality), with the support of the Direção-Geral das Artes.