Ah Amália On Tour premieres in Viana do Castelo with an emotional celebration
On Thursday, November 27, Viana do Castelo hosted the national premiere of Ah Amália On Tour, an immersive experience dedicated to the life and legacy of Amália Rodrigues, also marking the date on which Fado was classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The inauguration took place at the Espaço Cultural Linha Norte and marked the beginning of the exhibition's tour around the country, an initiative of SP Televisão (SPE) in collaboration with the Municipality of Viana do Castelo.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Viana do Castelo, Luís Nobre, the President of the SPTV Group, António Parente, the Administrator of SP Televisão, Jorge Marecos, the President of the Amália Rodrigues Foundation, Prof. Vicente Rodrigues, the Director-General of SP Entertainment, Sofia Moura, as well as representatives of partner entities and members of the municipal executive. Actresses Patrícia Tavares, Carla Andrino, and Melânia Gomes were also in attendance, as well as fado singer Cuca Roseta, ambassador for the Ah Amália project.
In his speech, Mayor Luís Nobre highlighted the deep emotional connection between Amália and Viana do Castelo, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the national premiere taking place in the city:
"Whenever we hear about Amália, we realize something else that she also had. And in that sense, it had to happen—it had to be here. That is why we are absolutely grateful. I am deeply grateful to Mr. António Parente, to the courage of his entire team, to the structures and personalities involved, as well as to the Amália Foundation."
Luís Nobre further emphasized:
"Just as Amália never turned her back on the people of Viana, Viana can never turn its back on Amália. Amália Rodrigues belonged to humanity — each one of us must take care of her. This Portuguese soul, this soul from Viana, has a lot to do with her journey and what she developed. Thank you all very much, and may you never tire of projecting what Amália's life was like."
One of the most memorable moments of the inauguration was the presentation of a new hologram of Amália Rodrigues, different from the one currently on display in Lisbon. The debut of this exclusive version surprised and moved the guests in attendance, including institutional representatives, artists, and the media.
Among the media outlets present were Fama Show and several local media outlets, which reported very positive impressions of the immersive experience.
The exhibition Ah Amália, Ah Viana! will be on display at the Espaço Cultural Linha Norte from November 27 to December 31, with free admission, but subject to daily capacity. Access is via 20-minute slots, with a maximum of 15 people per session, from Tuesday to Sunday, between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The involvement of SP Televisão and SP Entertainment in this project reinforces the group's commitment to promoting cultural projects that preserve and celebrate Portuguese artistic patrimony.