Fecani Song Festival

07 Sep 2012 - 09 Sep 2012
Place: Itacoatiara - Amazonas State

Itacoatiara is a small city located in the northern part of the state with a population of about 73,000, whose livelihood is based on raising cattle, agriculture and fishing. The city is about 3 1/2 hours by car from Manaus, and is also accessible via water, a journey which takes 8 hours by boat.

The name Itacoatiara means 'painted stone' in the indigenous language.

The Song Festival (Fecani) was born of a desire to stimulate musical production and was initially a small festival bringing together local composers from Manaus and the surrounding areas.

The event is organized by a non-governamental group known as Airma whose mission is to present new singers to musical markets, and help them to shine on other stages.

Today this festival has a large and dedicated following and has continued to grow over the years to grand proportions; it is now very famous in all of Amazonas. The participants write their own songs and perform them in a majestic arena called Iracema Holanda Cultural Centre.

The festival is actually a competition. The songs are judged by experienced and famous singers and at the end of festival the winner is announced; great prizes like cash and cars are awarded. Every year Fecani attracts lots of festival-goers to Itacoatiara, not only from Manaus but from all over Brazil, to enjoy popular Brasilian music. The Fecani Song Festival is known all over Brazil as the best venue for the introduction and promotion of new composers and singers.