FISP was born in July 2005 and is now celebrating 20 years of a utopia that aims, above all, to promote ideals of equality and solidarity in the context of the development of the saxophone, in the artistic, pedagogical, scientific and social spheres. This will be a special edition that, in addition to celebrating the 20th anniversary of the festival, will also act as a manifest for human rights, embodied in the implementation of the artistic project “TODOS”, where the international saxophone community will join hands to recall the best that humanity has to offer.
FISP is a neutral space, a space of nobody and everyone, far away from politics and so close to a strong heterogeneity that summarizes the impetus, the will, of a community of musicians (around the saxophone), involving different areas (artistic, academic, scientific) and diverse stylistic geographies, who believe in and identify themselves with the mission of this festival, a space for sharing new projects and ideas, a space where everyone one gives and everyone receives, in a context of unique human and social involvement.
40 concerts (classical, jazz, contemporary, world…), X “Vitor Santos” International Saxophone Competition, +150 hours of masterclass, workshops, lectures, scientific presentations, clinics, among a lot of sharing, friendship and fun.
FISP is an International Saxophone Festival that has already made lovers and followers in the entire world. The persistent crossing between the pedagogy and the performance make this festival unique, a great opportunity to learn and share about music and the saxophone.
Among the principal Portuguese saxophone protagonists, this festival brings some of the most important international musicians of the actuality, having brought thousands of saxophone lovers and students in the last 20 years.
FISP - Palmela International Saxophone Festival is organized by the Artemsax Quartet, the Humanitarian Philharmonic Society, Palmela Regional Conservatory and has João Pedro Silva as Artistic Director. FISP has a large and multidisciplinary organization team, with more than 40 people, voluntary, including the promoting entities and artistic direction.
As some of our international guests said before, FISP is a unique artistic experience that can’t be missed!
Este Festival es uno de los mejores de los que existen en la actualidad
Vicente Contador Verdasco
The International Sax. Festival of Palmela, became one of the important sax festivals on the world
Henk van Twillert
FISP is not only a very important festival in Portugal but now internationally also.
Gerard McChrystal
Nos hemos quedado maravillados y asombrados con el festival, por su calidad y por todas las atividades(...)
Miguel Garrido AldomarI have participated to many festivals around the world, but I think that I haven't ever found a so good organization and acceptance.
Mario Marzi
(...) Frankly, I know of no other event that comes close to achieving what I just experienced.
James Houlik
FISP has a strong tradition of excellence, filled with a wide variety of saxophone events. I had a fantastic week there in beautiful Palmela making music with wonderful friends!
Otis Murphy