Tongobriga: In Vino Veritas

The Tongobriga Theatre was founded in 2011 by the local community's desire to better understand the National Monument that had been discovered within the locality, Aldeia do Freixo. Although fenced off, the ruins are part of the village and so the need for a theatre was justified so that the community would have a reason to promote the city of Tongobriga. The reason was the Tongobriga Roman Market, which was held continuously from 2011 to 2018. Tongobriga was also a place where civilization had lived continuously and the market was set up on the same site where the market had been held during the time of Emperor Trajan. The core of the Tongobriga Roman Market were the three plays that the community staged every year, only repeating the one that was proposed due to its quality and because it partly belonged to Lucian of Samosata in the 2nd century, from whom it was adapted. Initially directed by Luísa Sousa, she produced a total of 21 plays, in addition to small stage sketches, and directed dozens of amateur and professional actors. The directors were Vasco Monterroso, Rafael Pereira, Mara Correira and Bruno Miguel Resende. The Theatre of Tongobriga had many exhibitions of short plays on RTP, Porto Canal and other Televisions Chanells. It is an History of sucess that was interrupted in 2018 when other organization made the market and them the event was canceled. In 2024 the Theatre of Tongobriga passed to the Diretor Bruno Miguel Resende, also director of the only Theatre of Historical events in Portugal Os Arlotes all constructed in Tongobriga. With Freixo divided into two separated areas the Theatre of Tongobriga mission is to unite Freixo into the same place and people that always lived there.