Faz Cultura – Municipal Cultural Company of Braga has created CORDÃO – Choir of Oncology Patients and Friends, with the support of the PARTIS & Art for Change programme, an initiative by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the la Caixa Foundation. The choir will hold its first meeting on 28 January in Braga. The project is also supported by the Unidade de Saúde Local de Braga and the Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro - Delegação de Braga.
CORDÃO is a community choir made up of people diagnosed with cancer — whether undergoing treatment or in remission — as well as their carers. Figuratively, a “cord” is also something that connects and binds. With the main aim of combating social isolation among oncology patients and their carers, CORDÃO seeks to bring people together, collectively stitching new ways of living with and understanding cancer.
CORDÃO is currently looking for participants in the Braga region aged 18 and over who fall into one of the following categories: individuals diagnosed with cancer (in treatment or remission), and formal or informal carers. No prior singing experience or musical training is required — only a willingness to take part and the absence of any medical contraindications. Throughout the sessions, participants will engage in collaborative creative exercises, whether through selecting or developing repertoire, using creative writing processes or through musical composition activities. These dynamics aim to transform the experience of cancer — often marked by isolation — into moments of sharing, connection and artistic expression.
The project acknowledges the emotional challenges faced by both patients and carers, from the impact of diagnosis through to the end of treatment, which is often accompanied by feelings of uncertainty and abandonment. CORDÃO therefore emerges as a safe space to rebuild connections and find mutual support.
The choir’s first meeting will take place on 28 January, and participants may join at any time during the weekly sessions, which will be held on Tuesdays. Registration can be completed by email at participacao@theatrocirco.com or in person at the box offices of Theatro Circo or gnration.