Jozé Sabugo

Born in Sintra, in the parish of São Martinho, on June 20, 1964, José António Soares Figueira—whose artistic name is Jozé Sabugo—grew up listening to stories about his grandfather’s work and to letters from his grandmother’s uncles being read aloud.

At the age of 11, he began attending the folk group As Lavadeiras in the village of Sabugo. He researched the customs and traditions of the Saloia region at the Sintra Library and by speaking with elderly residents.

In 1977, he participated in the 1st National Congress of Ethnography as a member of the As Lavadeiras folk group, where he first told a traditional tale live on Rádio Renascença, based on stories collected from the oldest inhabitants.

Between 1975 and 1988, he became deeply familiar with traditional sounds, which sparked his passion for dance, as well as for the customs and traditions of Saloia culture and the study of traditional music and songs.

In 1989, after training as a Cultural Development Agent, he went to Brazil to study theater in Rio de Janeiro, at the Gávea Planetarium/Berthold Brecht Theatre and through Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed. While there, he worked in several soap operas and theater productions.

In 1993, he returned to Portugal to train in Production and Direction of Shows. At the same time, he co-founded the Acusa Teatro group with some friends. During this period, he also began working at the International Sculpture Centre as a sculptor’s assistant. At night, he worked as an actor, director, and producer.

In 1995, after visiting the Historical Archive of Sintra—then beginning its work in traditional research—he was invited to create a project for the educational service of the Sintra Municipal Library. This led to Story Time, a program promoting books and reading through performances such as The Ugly Duckling, Run, Run, Little Broom, and The Sunflower Girl’s Journey, always accompanied by live music with Cláudio de Brito.

The project grew, and he developed extensive work as an author, reader, and storyteller for audiences of all ages, participating in socio-educational and cultural events in Portugal, Cape Verde, Malaysia, and Brazil, supported by collaborators in production.

He continues to share and learn through socio-cultural associations, NGOs, kindergartens, schools, universities, and informal groups, working with both young and older audiences. He is a theater teacher in primary school, runs the Casa das Cenas cultural association in Sintra, continues to lead Acusa Teatro, and is currently studying documentary filmmaking.