The Eco Festival Terra Mãe, held in Fornelos, Fafe, was distinguished with the national prize in the category “Contribution to Sustainability” at the Iberian Festival Awards, as announced in a press release.
According to the same source, this distinction recognises the work carried out by the festival in promoting responsible environmental practices and in building a model of a conscious cultural event, which embraces sustainability as a central commitment and inspires ecological change.
It is the recognition of a path we have been building within the community: organisation, volunteers, partners and festival-goers. At Terra Mãe, sustainability is not merely a principle; it is the way we live, the way we do things, and the way we feel the festival. We believe that culture can inspire change and show that it is possible to celebrate life while caring for the Earth, the organisation emphasizes.
Throughout its seven editions, Terra Mãe has integrated ecological practices into all dimensions of the festival, from the preparation of the venue to the experience lived by attendees. Among the measures implemented, recycling and composting of waste stand out, as do the use of dry toilets—which avoid water consumption and return organic matter—and the reuse of natural materials in the construction of structures, the emphasis on vegetarian food made with local and seasonal products, the use of the festival’s reusable cup, and the presence of a conscious market, dedicated to local producers and sustainable projects.
The organisation also maintains the commitment to plant a tree for every festival-goer, contributing to reducing the festival’s ecological footprint and strengthening the positive impact on the territory.
More than just a set of environmental measures, Terra Mãe promotes a strong educational and cultural dimension. The festival blends world music concert nights with a daily program made up of engaging and inspiring activities—from workshops and hands-on sessions to experiences dedicated to ecology, permaculture, agroforestry, holistic health, and sustainable living—engaging participants of all ages.
The Eco Festival Terra Mãe was also named in the categories Best Cultural Programme, Best Small Festival, Best Venue (Quinta do Minhoto), and Contribution to Equality, in this tenth edition of the Iberian Festival Awards, having been a finalist in the Contribution to Sustainability category, where it ultimately earned the title of National Winner.
The winners were announced on Saturday evening, in a ceremony held at the Coliseu Micaelense, in Ponta Delgada, Azores.
Keeping the motto “Three days to change the world, three days to change life,” the Eco Festival Terra Mãe already has a return scheduled for July 17, 18 and 19, promising to continue inspiring sustainable practices and promoting the connection between people, culture and nature.
The event was born ten years ago and is organised by the Associação Movimento Amigos de Fornelos, with the support of the Municipality of Fafe, the Parish Council of Fornelos, the YUPI Association, and other entities.
