As part of this year's Letras Galegas, dedicated to oral popular poetry and to the legacy of our cantareiras, the Gaiás invites you to a family workshop of traditional songs and small percussion instruments, where we’ll deconstruct the lyrics of the Galician tradition together, propose new ones, and learn to play with everyday objects — from spoons to seashells.

The pandeireteiras and cantareiras are symbols of resistance and sisterhood: singers, percussionists, and dancers who led gatherings and festivals, playing a fundamental role in preserving and passing down our oral popular culture. However, traditional songs often included sexist content in their lyrics — something we may not always notice.

Starting from this context, we present a workshop specially designed for children and teenagers, to be enjoyed as a family. Beginning with a gender perspective analysis of traditional folk verses, participants will go on to create new lyrics together, based on concepts of equality and nonviolence. The activity will also include learning to play small percussion instruments using everyday items such as shells, spoons, bottles, or pinecones — giving musical life to new songs free from sexist stereotypes.

Re—cantos | Collective performance of songs by Adolfina and Rosa

At the end of the workshop, participants — along with anyone visiting Gaiás who wishes to join — will take part in a shared performance of two songs by sisters Adolfina and Rosa Casás Rama. This participatory activity invites everyone to come together through Galician traditional music, with the celebration of Letras Galegas as its backdrop.

With this open invitation to sing together in an impromptu foliada and with hand percussion accompaniment, we aim to honor traditional music and its intergenerational transmission. A video will be produced from the activity and later shared on Cidade da Cultura’s social media, serving as both a record of the event and a tool to promote Galician intangible heritage.

Practical Information

— Educational workshop for children (ages 4 and up) and teenagers. The workshop is designed for families: all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who will also participate and must purchase a ticket.

— Tickets: €3

— Duration: 90 minutes