With more than 1000 participants since 2011, the ZêzereArts Festival has featured a rich offer of performances enjoyed by local audiences and visitors from around the world, including chamber music, song recitals, opera productions, orchestral concerts, choral concerts, collaborations with internationally renowned musicians and specially commissioned works from composers in residence. Centred on the Médio Tejo region of Portugal, the festival began in Ferreira do Zêzere, home of the beautiful Knights Templar village of Dornes. It quickly expanded to neighbouring towns and cities, first to Tomar with its stunning world heritage Convento de Cristo then Vila Nova da Barquinha, the Mosteiro da Batalha and further afield.

In 2020 our planned 10th anniversary celebrations were adapted in light of the global pandemic, so our strings programme took place in the Roman city of Évora, including performances with Záve (ZêzereArts Vocal Ensemble) and, whilst it was not possible for our Festival Chorus to sing together in person, we were delighted that so many past participants and newcomers joined us for a series of online activities during our anniversary year. These included remote recordings of both the first and most recent choral works to be performed at the Festival, Vivaldi Gloria and Tallis Spem in Alium, the sharing of photos and videos received from previous members of ZêzereArts Festival Chorus and the production of a 10th Anniversary commemorative video, showcasing many highlights of the last ten years.