Fiesa Sandsculptures 2016 - Algarve, Portugal

14º International Sand Sculpture Festival - FIESA 2016

FIESA is the largest sand sculpture exhibition ever built, held annually since 2003 in Pêra, Algarve, attracting thousands of visitors every year.

The sand is hand-carved by a group of sculptors, of various nationalities, exploring different sculpting techniques, producing original pieces that stand out by their magnitude, technique and aesthetics.

FIESA is regarded as the largest event of its kind in the world as it uses 40,000 tonnes of sand, covering 15,000m², with some sculptures reaching 12 metres in height, reproducing in amazing detail representations of people, objects and different scenarios.

In this 14th edition visitors can see around hundred different sand scenes, inventively depicting, musicians, instruments and musical cultures from around the world.

Each sculpted piece is accompanied by text to explain the sculpted elements and the exhibition is organized in thematic areas all interlinked, with areas dedicated exclusively to pop and rock, dance, circus, religion or children’s music.

The festival features as well a series of activities related to sand sculpture, such as workshops and demonstrations on the art of sculpting, video projections, games and contests.

The festival also includes a sand pit in which younger visitors can try their hand at this new form of artistic expression, restauration and leisure zones and periodically features live music, dance shows and circus arts.
At night the exhibition pieces are lit-up to create unexpected angles and playful dimensions.

FIESA is organised by the ProSandArt company who not only created the FIESA event but also produced different projects in Portugal, Turkey and Argentina.

FIESA is open to public everyday from March 10 till October 30.