The Entre Serras Project (PES) emerged in 2017 and since then has brought together local artists and agents, associations, museums and municipalities with the aim of discussing interactions between humans and the rest of the living world, the landscape and, in particular, mountain territories.

Workshops, artistic residencies and other actions that combine art and rurality have been held annually.

Until 2025, PES is organising three seminars, one in Portugal, in Castelo Branco (Fábrica da Criatividade), between 19 and 22 July, one in France and another in Spain.

According to Fábio Ramalho, responsible for Fábrica da Criatividade, in July, the seminar will serve as a meeting of all the project partners "who come to share information about what has been done in the territories".

The event includes exhibitions of various works, artistic residencies and also aims to reflect on the landscape, its natural heritage and sustainable tourism.

It also involves as coordinators the municipality of Castelo Branco, which joined PES in 2023, the Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, the Escola Superior d' Arte dÁix-en-Provence, and the Aldeias do Xisto network, among other partners.

The seminar includes four thematic round tables that will be interspersed with informal moments of interaction between speakers and the public, encouraging the sharing of ideas and reflection on the various topics under discussion.

During the presentation of the event, which took place today at Fábrica da Criatividade, in Castelo Branco, João Abreu, from Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, highlighted the importance of the connection between audiences and the landscape and between the public and the territory.

"For us, the artists' perspective has always been very important. They have always had the ability to look in a different way and make new readings and reflections", he said.

Carlos Casteleira, the project coordinator, explained that the initial focus is on inviting artists to come and interact with the territory and transform this interaction, in a symbolic way, into an artistic production, a product.

"In 2022, we applied for PES and were awarded funding by Creative Europe", he said.

In turn, Andreia Gonçalves, from Aldeias do Xisto, said that they have been associated with PES since its inception, in 2017 and, over the years, have developed several actions.

"The landscape is one of the most striking elements of the territory", she stressed.

Finally, the Mayor of Castelo Branco, Leopoldo Rodrigues, recalled that "we have the third largest municipality on the Mainland" in area, "where there is an extraordinary diversity".

"We have territory, diversity and landscapes. Art can be an aspect of valuing the territory and promoting tourism", he argued.

Leia Também: Vila de Rei conheceu impulso reformista a partir dos anos 90 (Portuguese version)