Sintra hosts, from September 11 to 13, another edition of Jazz in Monserrate, a festival promoted by Parques de Sintra that this year presents, in addition to the musical programming, a set of workshops dedicated to the conservation of nature and biodiversity, as announced in a press release.
According to the same source, under the theme “Other Times” and with artistic direction by Inês Laginha, the festival will take place at Monserrate Park and Palace and includes concerts, films with live music, jazz for babies, jam sessions, and a masterclass. The programme features Daniel Bernardes, Becca Stevens, João Barradas Trio with Jonathan Kreisberg, Rita Maria, Angélica Salvi, and Mateus Saldanha.
The nature component draws on the work developed by Parques de Sintra in the conservation and enhancement of the natural heritage under its management. The workshops aim to introduce some of the processes associated with preserving biodiversity and creating more resilient landscapes.
The first session takes place on September 11 at 5:00 PM and will be devoted to pollinators. Beekeeper Telmo Cabral, who has been collaborating with Parques de Sintra since 2023 on a project to implement new apiaries in the Serra de Sintra, will discuss the role of pollinating insects in agriculture and biodiversity, as well as how the hives operate and their importance in plant reproduction.
On the 12th, at 4:30 PM, Mauro Pereira, a fruit tree grower and nurseryman, leads a workshop on fruit tree grafting. The session will address cultivation techniques and the historical importance of these trees in Sintra’s Cultural Landscape.
On Sunday, September 13, at 3:30 PM, Sílvia Floresta leads a session devoted to mushroom production. The permaculturist, trainer and environmental activist has developed work in areas such as composting, soil biology, natural fertilisers, nursery systems, and edible forests. The session will explore the role of mushrooms in ecosystems and ways to produce them.
“The promotion of biodiversity and the defense of ecological balance are fundamental axes of our operations as a company, and therefore it is essential that they are reflected in all the initiatives we undertake, as in the case of Jazz in Monserrate,” says João Sousa Rego, chairman of the Board of Directors of Parques de Sintra.
The official adds that “more than practical activities, these workshops aim to bring the community closer to the current challenges of nature conservation and to disseminate, in an accessible and participative way, some of the solutions that people can apply in their daily lives to contribute to nature conservation.”
According to João Sousa Rego, the initiative also establishes a link with the objectives of the National Plan for Nature Restoration, particularly with regard to biodiversity recovery and the involvement of society in protecting natural heritage.
Participation in the workshops is free for those who have a festival ticket, subject to prior registration on the Parques de Sintra website and to availability.
Concerts held after the Monserrate Park closes to the general public have a daily ticket of 20 euros. The Jazz for Babies sessions cost 15 euros, a price valid for one adult and one child. The Jam Sessions are free upon purchase of an entry ticket to Monserrate Park and Palace, while Daniel Bernardes’s masterclass is free, subject to prior registration.
Jazz in Monserrate is promoted by Parques de Sintra, with the patronage of the “la Caixa” Foundation, in collaboration with BPI, and with the support of Sintra City Council. Smooth FM is the festival’s official radio station.
