Mirpuri Foundation

The winner of the Mirpuri Foundation’s inaugural Anna Mascolo award for Dance, presented last night at the São Carlos Opera House, in Lisbon, has been a dancer and choreographer for 22 years.

He receives his award for his work: “The Murmurs of Pedro and Inês,” which the Foundation judges called: “An outstanding piece of work, that depicts the best of Portuguese culture and seamlessly blends elements of the traditional with the contemporary.”

Accepting his award last night Fernando Duarte expressed his gratitude and hopes for the future of Portuguese Dance:

“I am honoured to receive this award from the Mirpuri Foundation.

I would like to thank, the judges and the Foundation go this great honour. “We live in a time where memory fades quickly and the future is uncertain.

But by naming this award after Anna Mascolo, one of Portugal’s greatest dance icons we are able to remember her and look back at the work she did and its influence on society.

But this award also allows us to look forward, as it will undoubtedly serve as a launch pad for many new ventures.

I am also honoured that the Foundation has chosen to recognise this particular project – as this was my first independent choreography project developed in partnership with my wife, ballerina, Solange Melo.

We decided to submit our project to the Foundation in the hope of inspiring others not to give up on their dreams because of any lack of resources or financial support.

The Murmurs of Pedro and Inês” is a dance performance which aims to depict contemporary Portuguese culture in a way that extends beyond dance.

It is based on the history of Pedro and Inês, a heritage that belongs to all of us. Throughout time many artists have depicted their often turbulent love story.

We opted to adapt it because we feel it identifies us. We worked with Portuguese composers, opted for a text by Afonso Cruz and costume design by Jose António Clemente.

We further opted to incorporate a contemporary installation by Pedro Crisóstomo into the stage design.

In this way, ‘The Murmurs of Pedro and Inês’ uses a neoclassical aesthetic language but also a contemporary one which is rarely used, or seen, on Portuguese stages. We further hope to remind the public that this dance format exists, and may be used to explore numerous themes on stages around the world.

I greatly believe in this project, I strongly believe in the work I have developed with Solange, as well as other artists, and I am profoundly grateful and honoured to accept this award from the Mirpuri Foundation.

This award is incredibly important. It will help me greatly, but undoubtedly inspire fellow artists in the future.

It also serves to further motivate the public to experience culture.

Art is very much like a tree with numerous branches. This award from the Mirpuri Foundation serves to fertilize the roots of the tree, which represents art.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.”

Elmano Sancho made his acting debut in Teatro da Garagem in 2004. He started to direct for the stage in 2014 and, just two years later, was writing his own plays.

His first stage production was ‘Não Quero Morrer’ (‘I Don’t Want to Die’), the first play he wrote was ‘I can’t breathe’ (eu não consigo respirar) and most recent was ‘A Última Estação’ (‘The Last Station’).

“I’d like to thank the Foundation for its recognition of my work to date.

It is a great honour to be rewarded for something that is essentially a passion.

The ‘Last Station’ is the third play that I have written and the fourth production I have been responsible for.

It is based on the traditional Stations of the Cross, but with the addition of a final scene, ‘The Resurrection’. Originally introduced by Pope John Paul II, the 15th station represents hope and transformation. Not just on an individual level, but also on a global one.

The passion of Christ is a metaphor for the daily struggles of all humanity. I chose to contrast that struggle with the life of Ted Bundy.

For anyone who is not familiar with the story, Ted Bundy was an American serial killer, kidnapper and rapist, who, shortly before execution, and after 10 years of denials, confessed to the murder of 30 women in the 1970s.

Bundy’s young victims thought him handsome and charismatic, traits that he exploited to win their trust.

Bundy and Christ were both put to death for acting outside societal norms. Both broke the law, both were punished with death.

As an artist, I wanted to explore the differences and the similarities, and to contrast these men through the 15 acts of the passion.

Physically, I’m told I look a little bit like Bundy. I was also born on December 25th, the birthdate of Christ.

I have something then to relate to each man.

So, I wrote my play with 15 acts, each one representing a stage of Christ’s passion. And it deals alternately with the character of Christ and Bundy and the people who ultimately became victims of both stories.

To win this Mirpuri Foundation award for my work is an honour.

It not only validates my career to date, but enables me to develop my craft with determination, courage, and security, but also with a responsibility in relation to other artists.

Being the inaugural winner also makes me an ambassador for the award, to show others that it’s important and to encourage them to put themselves forward in the future.

In a nation that is not well known for initiatives that support our artists, the award is fundamental in making art credible and showing our appreciation for it. I thank you very sincerely for this honour.”

Edward Ayres D’ Abreu and Duarte Pereira Martins, founded MPMP (the Heritage Movement for Portuguese Music) in 2009.

At the time, they were both students at the Conservatory of Music, where their studies led to them to the discovery of little-known scores by Portuguese composers.

Soon realising the high quality and artistic and cultural value of the music, they decided to foster and promote the work of these seemingly-forgotten composers.

The pair now edit a magazine, produce CDs and promote the work in concerts. In 2012, they created the MPMP Ensemble, directed by Maestro Jan Wierzba. The Ensemble is made up of young musicians who attempt to breathe new life back into these important works from our past.

Duarte Pereira Martins

“Winning the Mirpuri award for us means achieving recognition for work we have been developing since we were students at the Conservatory.

It is very important in that it allows us to now become more professional.

Much of what we have achieved has been based on volunteers, friends, and people who have offered help for the love of the music.

While that has been wonderful, the award will allow us to move on the next stage, to finally expand our project and achieve greater goals.

Also, to compete for an award of this kind is always incredibly fulfilling.

To a certain extent, it will dictate and guide other organisations in their attitude to the sponsorship of the arts in the near future.

It challenges us personally to think about and find new objectives and new forms for the association, and all organisations in general, to grow.

We are both extremely grateful for this award and pledge that we will use the freedom it gives us to expand on the cultural work we have done already.”

Edward Ayres D’ Abreu:

“An award of this importance and scale is extremely important as an instrument of communication.

It lets society know that there are interesting projects underway. Innovative projects which surprise us, that we are enthusiastic about, and are worthwhile developing so we can guarantee an enriched and interesting cultural future.

We are very grateful to receive it.”