The Festival Sabores de Tradição in Castelo Branco just finished a four-day edition, during which Leopoldo Rodrigues took stock of the event and announced that the next edition, in 2027, will have nine days of programming, divided into two periods: from May 26 to 30 and from June 3 to 6, 2027.
The article, by Fernando Jesus Pires, journalist and director of the newspaper O REGIÕES, questions whether the expansion of the festival to nine days will actually bring more benefits to local agents. The author acknowledges that the executive tried to convey an image of budgetary restraint and of using local means and talents, but raises doubts about whether the "hometown talent" is a strategic choice or just a convenient solution.
The article lists the resources that Castelo Branco possesses: professionals, associations, clubs, artists, communicators, and local businessmen. Fernando Jesus Pires questions whether partnerships with local cycling clubs were considered for sports components or if local communication professionals were consulted to conduct presentations, demanding transparency about what criteria were used, how much each option cost, and how much was paid to local professionals versus external structures.
The author concludes that doing nine days of festival is programming, but doing nine days of city is politics, arguing that Castelo Branco should be at the center of the event's transformation — not just as a backdrop or audience, but as a protagonist. The final question is whether, when the time comes to share the stage and budget, they also remember that the house has talent.
