History
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Are the community gardens in Tavira under threat? – Voicing your concerns
I was contacted by the association ACTIVE ECOTOPIA to translate documents and help spread the message about a possible threat to the Community Gardens in Tavira. Jim and I were part of the protest a few years ago to save the historic Agricultural Centre in Tavira where the Community Gardens are now flourishing.I have translated the document from Portuguese into English with the help of DeepL and added some native English sense. Coming from a large city in England we know what traffic congestion really means and why it is important to maintain as much green space and promote public transport and not cater just to cars by creating new…
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Cachopo, the windmill, wild flowers, the earthstar and the stones
Some days I just want to bottle moments of joy. That not being possible, on International Women’s Day 2024, I decided to start recording the events of a magical day from earlier in the week. Four women had a mission, an electric car, which I drove and the sun on our backs. You could call our mission one of spirit – that is we wanted to find ancient stones. We are women who meet together to meditate and create art. We feel connected to each other and the earth, so for me our exploration was about deepening our relationship with nature. But also the opportunity for a “jolly out” together.…
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Literary and Philosophical Cafe Friday 9 November
It is that time of year again, a time of celebration in Tavira when events and workshops mark a birthday. It is when artists and creative people come together to recall the work of Fernando Pessoa and his heteronym Álvaro de Campos. This year the birthday party takes place without the financial support of Algarve 365. So if it resonates, do come out and appreciate this celebration with your presence. The party is organised each year by the Association called Partilha Alternativa (Alternative Sharing), under the experienced guidance of the cultural leader Tela Leão. One event to put in your diary and to come to (that will be in English)…
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New – History tours of Tavira
As part of her master’s degree, Isabel Macieira has published several studies about the History of Art. She is the author of the book – “A Pintura sacra em Tavira, séculos XV a XX – estudos e inventário” (The Sacred Painting in Tavira XV to XX centuries). As a teacher between 1983-2014, she developed with various groups an awareness of local history involving the natural and built environment. So it could be said that she knows something about the city of Tavira, its heritage and architecture. Once a month or so since September 2016, she has offered a city tour to residents, visitors and tourists. The tours are grounded in…
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Scared of Shakespeare? Puzzled by Poetry?
Birkenhead-born writer, David Roberts has a passion for shipyards and literature. A mix of metal, blood and tears came to mind as we talked about his life and the literature course he has been teaching in the Algarve. I had seen the course advert at São Brás de Alportel Museum, and I had it in the back of my mind to find out more. Fortunately, the week before Christmas, I bumped into Maxine Srivastava (a fellow member of the Algarve Archaeology Association), in the British emporium known as Iceland, and so over the cheddar cheese and pork pies, I listened as she enthused about the literature course she is taking with…
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N is for Neptune in Faro
Here is a quick post for the letter N. It could have been Neil Young or Neil Armstrong. In the end, it was Neptune. Part of a Mosiac of the god of the sea was unearthed near Faro Railway Station in 1976. Occupying a large room the Mosiac was relocated to the 16th Century Infante Dom Henrique Archaeological Museum. The museum is housed in a former convent in Faro. Along with Neptune, the museum has a range of artifacts from prehistoric Portugal to neoclassical times including pottery and paintings. The Roman mosaic of Oceanus/Neptune and the four winds dates from the 3rd century. The museum is not large but well worth a visit! …
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The “old laughing lady” in Olhão market
“If I were a pop star, I’d sing like Johnny Cash,” said Clive James. I wondered who Josie would imitate? I do not sing, but music and Josie’s voice are occupying my thoughts. Josie Whistler is a character in development. She may appear as an ageing hippy, owner of a food van, frequenting music festivals, in a new novel this year. The birth pangs are not painful, just ever present and ponderous. My head was full of Josie when we made our way to Olhão Market, parking near the garden not far from the port.
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Jews and Aristides de Sousa Mendes – Museum of Exiles
Above the Post Office in Estoril is the Museum of Exiles (Museu Dos Exilios). The modernist building, built in 1942, is the design of the architect Adelino Nunes. The museum was opened in 1999. I visited the museum in early April 2016. Ascending a grand staircase, the visitor reaches a circular landing, which is put to good use with a semi-permanent display of exile-related documents and photos. The information drawn from data recorded in the Cascais Municipal Historical Archives includes photographs, diaries, travel documents, hotel registrations and much more. Between 1936 and 1955, and especially during the Second World War (1939-1945), exiled kings, dignitaries, prominent artists, thinkers, spies, and thousands…
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Bringing the churches to life – A Igreja Matriz de Santiago, Tavira
“Igreja” in Portuguese means “church” and today the A-Z writing challenge is I, so I am drafting a post about a couple of the churches in Tavira. Not all churches in Tavira are used for religious practice. Some have metamorphosed into museums and from that has developed an initiative called “Music in the churches.” These events are organised by the Council (in Portuguese – Camara) or by the Academia de Música under the program, Música nas Igrejas. The musical events usually take place on Saturdays at 6 pm. Last Saturday, 9 April, in the Igreja da Misericórdia a new composition for piano by Luís Conceição called “Equinox” was performed. Simone…
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Make Hay
The Hay Festival programme is out. Details arrived by email on Saturday, which is fortunate as the next letter of the A-Z writing challenge is H. The Hay Literature Festival is more than a book event. It is two weeks of stimulation and reflective entertainment. This year the dates are 26 May to 5 June 2016 We are not going to make the trip to Wales, but that does not stop me looking through the programme and highlighting writers, drooling over books, and soaking up ideas. Here are a few events, just in the history section, that caught my eye. Sinclair McKay and Thomas BriggsBLETCHLEY AND ENIGMAEvent 11 • Friday 27 May 2016, 1pm • Venue:…
