7 Sois 7 Luas: Mediterranean Music Festival - Cape Verde Rhythms and the Playful Gustafi
Mario Lucio (Capo Verde) and Gustafi (Croatia)
###
The third and final evening of folk and ethno music of the international Sete Sois Sete Luas Festival was ended by the appearance of the Simentera band, while the final crescendo was achieved by attractive performances of inimitable and always attracti
###
The third and final evening of folk and ethno music of the international Sete Sois Sete Luas Festival was ended by the appearance of the Simentera band, while the final crescendo was achieved by attractive performances of inimitable and always attractive the Gustafi. The musicians of Simentera, a group from Cape Verde, were led by Mario Lucio, their founder and frontman. This is an artist who made a turning point in the music of Cape Verde through his music expression, confirming the continental African culture as the pivotal point of the Cape Verde cultural identity, which is exactly what positioned this small country in the world of music, with such artists as the famous singer Cesaria Evoria.
The artistic achievement of Mario Lucio also ensured an invitation by the Government of Cape Verde to be the author of the musical project of Cape Verde for the Sevilla World Fair in 1992, followed by the Lisbon one six years later. Since 2002, he has been a cultural ambassador, and he is also the youngest artist of his country to be awarded the high achievement of the Vulcan Order. His appearance on the central square of Rovinj presented the rhythms and the tradition of his country to many visitors, which – entwined in African rhythms – made the audience dance.
The crescendo of the final festival night belonged to the Gustafi only. Being the first, the only and the inimitable, they once again proved there is no true party without them, with several encores being but a customary part of any concert. Edi and his Gustafi did not spare themselves, nor the audience. Joining forces, everyone danced and sang until the wee hours, so there were moments when the square actually resembled a giant dance podium.
The project of Sete Sois Sete Luas, which celebrated its eighteenth edition this year, and that takes place in Brazil, Cape Verde, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain, was held in Rovinj for the third time. Because of its great cultural value and the European dimension, it is also financed by the EU, while this musical event held in Rovinj was organised by the Town of Rovinj and its Tourist Board, the County of Istria and Edi Maružin.
