When Boston University College of Fine Arts alumni Inês Andrade (CFA’18) and Edoardo Carpenedo (CFA’19) first conceived the idea for a music festival in a small Portuguese village, they could hardly imagine the cultural renaissance it would spark. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Bendada International Music Festival (BIMF) has evolved from a modest summer program with 25 students to an internationally recognized event hosting 100 musicians from around the world.
“Every house in the village becomes filled with music,” says Andrade, describing how classical melodies cascade through the medieval streets of Bendada during the festival.
“You hear different instruments and different languages everywhere you go.”
The festival’s roots trace back to a Cultural Entrepreneurship class at Boston University, where Andrade, who grew up in Lisbon but regularly visited relatives in Bendada, developed the initial concept as a class project. “I always knew I wanted to do more with music than just perform concerts,” she says. “I wanted to create something that could make an impact on a whole community.”
With encouragement from Professor Wendy Grossman and support from BU’s innovation ecosystem, what began as an academic exercise transformed into a vibrant reality. Andrade enlisted help from her chamber music group Virtuoso Soloists, including Carpenedo, who grew up in Venice.
“BU played a crucial role,” reflects Carpenedo.
“As classical musicians, we were trained to aim for perfection from the start, but the entrepreneurship mentors taught us to embrace the startup mindset – to launch, learn, and grow incrementally.”
The festival has become a powerful catalyst for regional development in northeastern Portugal. Beyond its cultural impact, BIMF has sparked economic revitalization in Bendada, leading to the restoration of historic buildings, new housing developments, and increased tourism. The village, which has had an active local woodwind ensemble since 1870 (the Sociedade Filarmónica Bendadense), has embraced its identity as an international hub for classical music education.
BIMF now operates year-round, offering two distinct academies: a spring program for young musicians aged 8-13 and a summer program for advanced students 14 and older. The festival has attracted renowned artists, including pianists Jeffrey Swann and Nuo Inazio, and made history in 2022 by bringing an orchestra to Bendada for the first time.
The founders have been intentional about making the program accessible, keeping costs low and offering scholarships to talented students who might otherwise be unable to attend. “Support means the world to us,” says Andrade, explaining how donations and partnerships enable their scholarship program. “It’s through sponsorships that we’re able to make this opportunity available to more young musicians.”
For participating students, BIMF offers more than just musical instruction. The festival serves as a launching pad for emerging careers, providing performance opportunities, professional development, and invaluable networking connections. From helping students craft promotional materials to offering guidance on unique program development, the festival has become a comprehensive mentorship platform.
“We try to provide the opportunities we wish we had had at their stage,” explains Andrade. The festival’s concerto competition, for example, offers winners not just prize money but also professional concert engagements in venues from Boston to Paris.
As BIMF celebrates its first decade, its impact continues to grow. What started as a class project has become a model for cultural entrepreneurship, demonstrating how artistic vision combined with community engagement can transform not just individual lives but entire communities.
“The village is the hero of the festival,” says Carpenedo.
“I think Bendada is the hidden jewel of northern Portugal. You get this sense of authenticity that is both humbling and peaceful to experience.”
Boston audiences will have a chance to experience BIMF’s artistic excellence firsthand at their upcoming International Gala Concert on February 20, 2025. The special performance at the Goethe-Institut Boston will feature festival founders Inês Andrade and Edoardo Carpenedo on piano, alongside two distinguished Portuguese flautists. Beginning at 6:30 PM, this chamber music concert showcases the high caliber of artistry that BIMF brings to both Portugal and the international stage. The event holds particular significance as it represents a homecoming of sorts for the founders, bringing their musical vision back to the city where their festival journey began.
