Peça a Peça Itinerante (PaPI) in the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão
The PaPI artistic-educational constellation gathers a series of small music-theatre pieces originally conceived to circulate easily through kindergartens, museums, libraries, social centers, and other institutions interested in promoting access to culture. The first PaPIs were developed in multidisciplinary and intergenerational artistic residencies held at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation within the scope of the Opus Tutti project (2011–2014).
Since the beginning, the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão has partnered with this artistic-educational practice, and ever since, several kindergartens in its “surrounding area” have been able to benefit from this innovative contribution in our country.
In 2025, in this “cradle where PaPIs grow,” we premiered another artistic creation from this traveling cycle dedicated to music for children.
PaPI Opus 11 drew inspiration from the kindergartens of Bairro, Oliveira de Santa Maria, Bente, Ruivães, and Riba d’Ave.
It then premiered at Casa das Artes on November 8.
Mariana Miguel, our artist-interactor-mediator-facilitator, collected smiles and hugs.
In the backpack where she carries the portable set, there is a little corner where she keeps phrases such as “I really enjoyed the ferpormance!”, questions such as “were the things made in a museum?” “what instrument is that?” and ‘letters’ such as this one from two teachers: “We want to thank you for the wonderful show you gave us. It was truly enchanting, and our children loved every moment. Congratulations to Mariana for her expressiveness and excellent interaction with the children—it made all the difference!”
In February 2026, we returned to “Casa” and met with the children and professionals from the following kindergartens: Seide S. Miguel Kindergarten, Centro Social e Paroquial de Pousada de Saramagos, Joane Kindergarten, Estalagem Kindergarten (Vermoim), Boca do Monte Kindergarten (Mogege).
PaPI Opus 11 – Synopsis
Consequently. Ear, spiral, snail, unwind the word, the map is not the territory, the word is not the thing.
Rephrasing: PaPI-Opus 11 is part of the Peça a Peça Itinerante (PaPI) cycle — music-theatre pieces designed to circulate through kindergartens and cultural and educational institutions interested in promoting access to culture. An idea born in the cradle of Opus Tutti, with the support of the FCG, which continues to grow in the cradle of the Casa das Artes de Vila Nova de Famalicão.
“— Done!”
PaPI Opus 11 – In Creation.
To reach PaPI Opus 11, one must ask for the names of those who arrive. You must also remember the names of those who are not here. A typewriter might be needed. Only typewriters have memory.
In any case, a machine that carries rhythm in its body is also capable of remembering. A drum, for instance. Or an accordion. Or a paintbrush.
Anything with clouds at its tip.
Like a dream-listener.
Or a flower strainer.
A spiral might be useful.
Any senseless complex, convex, vortex. Circumflex !
Bamboos? Yes, the bam is bom (good). bamBom bamBom bambamBom bambamBom. Bamboa boa, boaboa voa. Loupe.
Specifically:
Bounces on the Letter B: baby, blow, bite, babble, biscuits, ball, Berlin, bubbles, butterfly, blade, beacon.
Like the spiral, the sphinx sleeps or pretends to be still in the letter B of CaraCaraCol. A call. And CaroCaraCol found the yellow-green-red fish stained black from the aquarium of Mr. Helder, Mr. Andrade, Mr. Braga, and Grandma Ernestina. Yes, ever since the Lord of Neandertal, it’s known that any quaver-slurper can own a grocery store of words.
And so on…
Or, in other words: the paths of creativity are infinite. Possibility is a spiral.
That is why fabrics must be unwound. Winding and unwinding, unwinding and winding. Wander.
(I see Penelope waiting for the return of Odysseus — he said.)
That is why places where one can rest are needed, houses and people of “hospitality”.
— Mom, all that work to make this beautiful flower carpet, and ten minutes later it’s already destroyed? — Yes, my child, it’s a bit sad, but don’t worry: typewriters have memory.
PaPI Opus 11 – Artistic Residencies
Cine-Teatro Louletano
Conservatório de Música de Loulé – Francisco Rosado
NOVA University of Lisbon – FCSH – CESEM – GEDH – Laboratório de Música e Comunicação na Infância – Laboratório de Experimentação CenográficaOficina da Criança – Montemor-o-Novo
Alma d’Arame – Puppet Theatre – Montemor-o-Novo
PaPI Opus 11 – The Team
Mariana Miguel. Works professionally as a pianist, percussionist, and multidisciplinary artist. Has participated in creations and projects by CMT involving the community.
Helena Rodrigues. Founding member of CMT and professor at NOVA-FCSH. Has been involved in the Peça a Peça Itenerante (PaPI) cycle since its inception.
Rita Roberto. Teaches in the PG Music in Childhood: Intervention and Research program at NOVA-FCSH and at ESE of IPS. Performer, creator, and mentor in various CMT projects.
PaPI Opus 11 – Acknowledgments
To the participants of i.lab – Arts for Childhood – Immersive Training held at Solar da Música Nova in Loulé in 2025.
To the project Artistic Beginnings in Co-Creation (ERASMUS+).
PaPI Opus 11 – Co-Production
Casa das Artes de Vila Nova de Famalicão
Performances in the Municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão (November 3–8, 2025)
Kindergartens in the surrounding area of the municipality: Jardim de Infância de Bairro; Jardim de Infância de Oliveira Santa Maria; Jardim de Infância de Bente; Jardim de Infância de Ruivães; EB/JI de Riba de Ave;
Teatro Narciso Ferreira;
Casa das Artes de Vila Nova de Famalicão
