Galician folk group A Roda brings five decades of song to Aciveiro festival

Galician folk group A Roda will perform Saturday at the Aciveiro festival in Forcarei, continuing a legacy five decades after its 1976 founding in Vigo. Alfredo Dourado, son of founder Fito, now leads the band's vocals. The group remains deeply connected to popular tradition, with songs like "Pousa, pousa" and "O gato" embedded in Galician collective memory. Dourado emphasizes the direct dialogue with audiences at festivals, where the music evokes shared memories of home, celebrations, and gatherings. Dourado acknowledges the challenge of innovating while preserving the group's essence, experimenting with sounds only when it respects tradition. He notes that audience members frequently share personal stories about his father, and he views the enduring popularity of their songs as a "miracle."