Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker From the yposkafa or the cave houses of Santorini where houses were sculpted into volcanic rocks ancestral settlements of the Puebloan people spatial formations through the creation of voids in extant landscapes or geographies is an age-old phenomenon looking to mark the site with an object clearly done by Man but not ‘hurting’ the natural context of the site thus utilising the local granite stone of the region,” Cepeda shares with STIR becomes an expression of how the context defines the perceptional quality of built forms The large sawn-cut granite blocks from local quarries are a definitive element of the identity of the Portuguese architecture Elaborating on the project’s materiality “They draw the exterior cornice and entrance ground ‘plinth’ to the house Their clear ‘geometrism’ intends to translate the ‘human hand’ into its design and not to design a building that could completely merge with the rock it is an object that tries to integrate and harmonise with its contextual ambience with a rough and austere natural ‘atmospheric’ design Cepeda hints towards John Ruskin’s influence in this contextual design a 19th-century English polymath who wrote about the necessity of longevity in his book The Seven Lamps of Architecture: “When we build nor present use alone; let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them as they look upon the labour and wrought substance of them Cepeda believes this idea challenges Louis Sullivan’s dictum of ‘form follows function’ as a ‘rule’ or architectural paradigm no longer has the same importance that it used to That was a clear response of Ruskin to his time and buildings and projects need to have the ability to adapt the true meaning of being ‘sustainable’ buildings will not last and will die sooner than later Longevity and durability are some of the most important values one must take into account at present.” the idea that a space can be defined almost uniquely by its functional purpose that were meant to be designed by their authors and architects to perform a certain specific function or were used in a completely different manner To try to design a space in true and direct linearity with its use and function could be a mistake—and thus we try to give our spaces a response to its functions but one that has a certain kind of ambiguity instil the space with a certain amount of freedom and future flexibility,” he remarks and not just embrace new advancements and incessantly apply them as they come Establishing a sense of affinity and refuge the House in Ribeira dos Moinhos expresses an attempt at longevity and an identity that shines through without blatantly disturbing or transforming the context writer and brand strategist currently running his practice He loves to learn about everything under the sun and runs a community where he gets to explore his curiosity with similarly curious people Akash can always be found in his quest to discover or learn something new From vernacular knowledge to modern sustainability Middle Eastern pavilions serve as living archives of architectural thought offering fresh frameworks for global adoption STIR engages with the curators of the Togo Oman and Qatar pavilions—debuting at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025—on representation the book presents a fictional story depicting algorithms exercising control over humans and how this affects the built environment Tipnis shares how the toolbox democratises the practice of restoration via DIY resources to repair tangible urban heritage made of common building materials Exclusive preview for subscribers. Learn More Make your fridays matter. Learn More © Copyright 2019-2025 STIR Design Private Limited Please confirm your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices Password must be 8 characters long including one capital letter By creating an account, you acknowledge and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy by STIR Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch Please enter your details and click submit Single account access for STIRworld.com,STIRpad.com and exclusive STIRfri content Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process by Akash Singh | Published on : Oct 30 the Xunta de Galicia (Galician regional government) authorised crisis distillation in DO Ribeira Sacra following a request submitted by the local rural council in May The authorisation marks the first time a Galician wine region will implement the measure which is aimed at withdrawing wine from the market to balance supply and demand Eligible wineries will receive funds from Galicia’s Ministry of Agriculture in exchange for distilling surplus wine into industrial alcohol The resolution is now pending ratification by the Spanish central government and the European Union The authorisation comes after months of warnings from small growers that their livelihoods would be seriously threatened if they could not find buyers for this year’s crop The region’s largest winery opted not to renew contracts with over 400 growers for the 2024 vintage blaming surplus stocks and declining sales of red wine which accounts for around 80% of production in Ribeira Sacra the president of Ribeira Sacra’s regulatory council said the crisis has been looming since 2020: ‘The pandemic caused a delay in the release of wines to the market combined with historically abundant harvests in the past several years and the fact that this is a DO which mainly produces young wines created a situation that made extraordinary measures necessary.’ said she feels ‘ignored’ by the regional government and a sense of ‘absolute impotence’ She and other growers have accused the Xunta of prolonged inaction for fear of affecting the Ribeira Sacra’s reputation and damaging the second campaign to have the region designated a World Heritage Site following the rejection of the first application in 2021 the Xunta de Galicia announced that it was allocating €2M (£1.68m) to ‘fight vineyard loss’ in Ribeira Sacra many growers view the aid package as insufficient to offset the high production costs of cultivating vines on steep terraces wineries who choose to distil are forced to first transport wine to the distilleries themselves and at their own cost and will likely receive less than one euro per litre of distilled wine – which will then be subject to taxes the local agricultural union convened a protest outside the seat of the regulatory council calling on the Xunta de Galicia to increase aid for struggling growers They fear the current situation will exacerbate current demographic issues: the average grower in the region is 65 years old and Ribeira Sacra has lost nearly 700 hectares of vineyards to abandonment in the past decade Lombardía signalled future changes to Ribeira Sacra’s regulations to balance supply and demand explaining that he wants to ‘regraft more native red grape varieties and rezone the DO for the production of single-parcel wine moving production toward mid to high-end wines.’ Spain’s north-westernmost region (Credit: Getty Images)In the Ribeira Sacra's dizzyingly high landscapes near-vertical vineyards are perched above rivers The stunning scenery – and the resulting wines – are an oenophile's dream Vertiginous views are a hallmark of the Ribeira Sacra, a collection of small towns that mostly hug the Sil and Miño rivers in Galicia Galicia is often referred to as "green Spain" for its verdant landscapes the product of frequent rainfall compared to elsewhere in Spain but it's these two rivers that have shaped the Ribeira Sacra The name means "sacred riverbank" in the Galician language a nod to both the topography and the area's long monasterial history It's not the easiest terrain to cross, filled with narrow winding roads that wrap around hills and cut through stands of chestnuts and oaks. As I left Cabezoás, I headed west to the region's main monastery, Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil Santo Estevo has been beautifully restored and is now part of Spain's national network of paradores (state-run hotels often housed in historic structures) Although it is first mentioned in documents from the 10th Century the monastery is believed to be several centuries older than that and I couldn't help but wonder how they built such a massive compound back then on the rim of a mountain Those monks definitely had an eye for prime real estate but the miradoiros (scenic overlooks) I passed along the way provided a different kind of religious experience mocking gravity and offering vistas that will fill your heart or stop it cold Water has forged its own green cathedrals here more monumental than even the most spectacular structures built by humans In fact, the Ribeira Sacra was declared a biosphere reserve in 2022, and it is Spain's only nomination for Unesco World Heritage status in 2024 The application revolves around the central place of water in this landscape Beyond the production of hydroelectric power the rivers have propelled a long history of milling – corn and other grains – but it's the nearly vertical vineyards along their banks that play a starring role Green Getaways is a BBC Travel series that helps travellers experience a greener cleaner approach to getting out and seeing the world Winemaking took off after the arrival of the Romans and the monastic orders that followed them The region's predominant grape is Mencía though winemakers are increasingly adding a little Brancellao as well as producing beautifully floral whites starring the Godello grape hindered by rural poverty and tangled land-inheritance laws but the Ribeira Sacra's star has risen sharply over the past decade with connoisseurs now seeking out its boutique bottlings It is also a naturally sustainable wine region as no other approach would work over the long term as they advance carefully down row after acrophobia-inducing row of vines along which grapes can be moved in small motorised containers – either up toward narrow clearings where they can be loaded onto a truck or down to the river for boat transport – but this is not an option for most which include visits to wineries and other attractions Established as an official wine region in 1996, the Ribeira Sacra holds "heroic viticulture" designation, awarded by an Italian nonprofit that promotes and protects mountainous wine regions around the world your terraced vineyards must have a minimum altitude of 500m and a gradient above 30% she casually referred to local vineyards as paredes (walls) which makes sense when you consider that a 70% slope is not unusual She rightly marvelled at what must have gone into creating these terraces "It was an immense job to build these walls and ensure they don't collapse where she produces just 3,000 bottles per year of a young red made with Mencía these rustic cellars date to medieval times and were traditionally used by families to make and store wine for their own consumption and bring home enough wine for the day's meals and Díaz Ferreiro's is the sole commercial operation Her vineyards can only be accessed on foot, from above. While I found the lush highland scenery to be breathtaking, I wanted to get closer to the water, so I headed west to the village of Belesar to meet Martín Martínez. Established in 2020, his Ecosacra winery is what's known locally as an adega de garda (storage winery) where wine that's been made elsewhere is kept in cool his adega had been abandoned for 14 years when he bought and restored it even reusing old wine barrels to make shelving and tables It's a beautifully rustic space overlooking the Miño River with an outdoor patio where you can try his wines – a white made with the Godello grape and a red Mencía-dominated blend – while dining on local cheese charcuterie and empanadas (Galician large-format baked meat or fish pies) Where to stay: Spend the night in monasterial surroundings at Santo Estevo, or stay at As Torres da Ermida a boutique hotel in Monterroso in the former home of an aristocrat or nosh at Monforte de Lemos' tapas bars clustered around Rúa Cardenal Rodrigo de Castro To reach Ecosacra, I booked a tour that included a magical journey on Martínez's small boat As we glided past forested riverbanks so densely green they could pass for Tolkien's Shire I was humbled by the view of those mindboggling vineyards; it was beyond me how those first grape-growers ever conceived of farming this terrain But even more remarkable was the canyon itself a testament to the sheer force of water across geological time Ecosacra's name reflects Martínez's commitment to protecting his natural resources he takes a low-intervention approach in his vineyards conserving the soil's health and using no herbicides or insecticides and his small catamaran is the first hybrid passenger boat in the area he proudly told me about the otters that were spotted near his private pier The team behind local event company I-Radia Crea felt the same way when they created 17 Grados a music festival that highlights the landscape Named for the vineyards' minimum slope in degrees the lineup features concerts at a hilltop winery but the most coveted events take place on a catamaran with a maximum capacity of 100 Listening to music while cruising between the steep walls of the Sil Canyon is a transcendent experience transporting you physically and metaphorically • 10 sustainable travel destinations to visit in 2024 • How the youngest Canary Island escaped mass tourism • A new record at the world's biggest snail-eating festival To protect the very qualities that make the area so unique, government officials are beginning to take a more mindful approach, learning hard lessons from other parts of Spain where overtourism has sparked the rage of local residents the tourism board encourages visitors to arrive by RENFE which stops in the region’s largest municipality There are also free hop-on hop-off minibus shuttles to reduce car traffic during the summer and Holy Week peak seasons; and the most popular attractions – such as the ancient Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil monastery and the wineries themselves – require advance reservations to manage visitor volume The travel emissions it took to report this story were 0.03 metric tons of CO2e. Find out more about how we calculated this figure here It's not easy to balance environmental protection with the real economic needs of the Ribeira Sacra's small towns But in a region where survival has long depended on nature there is still a deep connection to the environment and many locals are focused on conserving what they've inherited When Díaz Ferreiro first started growing grapes some of her neighbours would describe the ways they pruned each plant in their vineyards she couldn't imagine anyone having such an intimate understanding of individual vines but now she has become one of those people but it is something that you just have to feel," she said If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features videos and can't-miss news delivered to your inbox every Friday For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. 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Teresa Ribera is the Executive Vice-President for a Clean Her task is to ensure that Europe stays on track for its goals set out in the European Green Deal while driving the decarbonisation and industrialisation of our economy Read more about the Green Deal Industrial Plan Teresa Ribera is also responsible for modernising the EU’s competition policy to support European companies in innovating Read more about strengthening European competitiveness See all As part of the Commission's commitment to transparency Commissioners and their Cabinet members publish information on and minutes of all meetings they hold with interest representatives they also publish an overview of mission expenses No information is published on meetings taking place in the context of antitrust (including cartels), merger control or state aid procedures. This is in accordance with the relevant Commission decision Read Executive Vice-President Ribera's answers to the European Parliament questionnaire European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge Fourth Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge Director of Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations Advisor on energy and climate programme at Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations State Secretary for Climate Change and Biodiversity Director-General of Spanish Climate Change Office “Now it’s the quilombolas’ turn”: communities in the Ribeira Valley demand land justice in Alesp telegram Join our Telegram channel! telegram approximately 200 quilombolas from various communities in the Ribeira Valley represented their territories by occupying the Teotônio Vilela Auditorium at Alesp (Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo).  Under the motto “Quilombola Land Regularization: 'Sowing the future with planning and historical reparation'” they demanded progress in the processes of granting titles to communities and the implementation of policies to guarantee fundamental rights Among the other demands placed on the agenda was the reformulation of the Management Group established by the Technical Cooperation and Joint Action Program (Decree No organized by the Black Communities Coordination and Advisory Team (EAACONE) together with the State Coordination of the Coordination of Black Rural Quilombola Communities (CONAQ-SP) PCdoB and PV and Rede and PSOL and the Land Working Group of quilombola leaders in the state was designed to denounce the extreme slowness in granting land titles and to call for effective measures The right of quilombolas to territorial title is provided for in Article 68 of the ADCT of the 1988 Federal Constitution and in São Paulo Law No 36 years after the Constitution came into force and 27 years after the São Paulo law came into force the Government of the State of São Paulo has fully titled only two quilombola territories while another seven have been partially titled.  The meeting also highlighted the role of regularization as an indispensable tool for guaranteeing rights and preserving the history and culture of these communities through their ways of life and traditional practices for preserving the standing forest – a fundamental socio-environmental service in the context of climate emergencies leader of Quilombo André Lopes and coordinator of EAACONE “The Quilombola Struggle for Title in the State of São Paulo” He shared that it had been ten years since there had been a public hearing of that kind at Alesp but that it was extremely important to be there.  and public policies that will benefit us are considered We are having a lot of difficulty in the state of São Paulo in getting these public policies to reach the Quilombola Communities And one of the public policies that is one of our main focuses here is the issue of land regularization,” he said.  has a huge debt to the black people of Brazil because of the slavery process that took place in Brazil but to come and claim what is our right!” he added.  said that being there was a difficult process since the rules change as the months go by this whole context so that this process can be reduced and all communities can be recognized in the shortest possible time,” she said Read also"We know that this delay is a strategy so that one day the quilombola history will end" of the 31 municipalities in the Ribeira Valley region in São Paulo and Paraná The region has 80% of the quilombos in the state of São Paulo the same state took 25 years to partially title seven quilombos and fully title two.  it would take approximately 150 years to title the remaining 54 quilombos in the state of São Paulo Regarding the demand to restructure the Quilombo Management Group the EAACONE coordinator added that this must be done with the effective participation of quilombola representatives in public institutions and an adequate budget.  and from CONAQ spoke of the importance of deliberating on issues of national state and municipal interest with the subjects of law which recognizes the fundamental right to prior free and informed consultation of traditional communities.   that we have recipes for [...] many things that are being lost due to deforestation and flooding from dams We are the guardians of the forest!” he recalled Melo warned the São Paulo Land Institute Foundation (ITESP) about the allocation of resources has made it clear what others are interested in but now it is the quilombolas’ turn,” he explained “The state of São Paulo is leaving much to be desired Maranhão grants land titles [...] Enough of saying there is no money Give a little bit to each person?” he reinforced.   Read alsoQuilombolas reach agreement to regularize territory in Alcântara (MA) Melo also joined forces to request the return of the quilombo subcommittee in the House they made significant progress in matters of training quilombolas and political empowerment but not in terms of granting titles because that does not depend solely on them such as Dona Diva (Quilombo Pedro Cubas de Cima); Benedito Alves da Silva (Ditão) Rodrigo Marinho and Laudessandro (Ivaporunduva); Neimar Lourenço dos Santos and Seu Antônio (Quilombo Caçandoca); Zeca (Quilombo de Poça) and Nodir Dias (Quilombo São Pedro and Cooperquivale) also spoke about education the quilombola struggle during the dictatorship the influence of agribusiness on public bodies titling and development of Quilombola Communities the importance of not dispersing the struggle and political representation Leci Brandão took advantage of her speech to criticize the absence of the State Government and its secretaries in the session as well as the change of ITESP and the agenda from the Department of Justice to the Department of Agriculture She also spoke about the folklorization of quilombolas whose origins lie in racism and the maintenance of privileges of the Brazilian elite and once again made her mandate available to help Marcia Lia defended the titling with the argument of legal certainty which benefits landowners with a discount of up to 90% on the final value of illegally occupied public lands Simão Pedro cited environmental racism as an obstacle to land titling given that the state has been quick to grant land titles to land grabbers which has negative impacts on health and education guaranteeing the territory is essential for preserving culture and this will be achieved through mobilization from the Federal Superintendence for Agrarian Development of São Paulo; Maria Cristina Tarrega manager of the recently created Quilombola Territories Division of INCRA São Paulo; Thiago Francisco Gobbo deputy director of Land Regularization; and Andréa João advisor for Quilombos and other Traditional Communities of ITESP; Rodrigo Luiz de Azevedo parliamentary advisor to the office of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply; and Eduardo Baecker auxiliary coordinator of the Specialized Center for the Promotion of Racial Equality and the Defense of Traditional Peoples and Communities of the DPE (NUPIR) of the Public Defender's Office of the State of São Paulo INCRA explained the difficulties in the organization's structure but that they are fighting to move the work forward and provide greater transparency to the process as a whole even mentioning a WhatsApp group with quilombola leaders from São Paulo They also said that they are working hard to approve six RTIDs (Technical Reports on Identification and Delimitation) and mentioned the three decrees that will be published in favor of the Quilombola Communities: São Pedro all in the municipalities of Eldorado and Iporanga ITESP has already resumed the meeting held the day before the hearing of representatives of CONAQ and EAACONE with the Secretary of Agriculture where it was agreed that the State Attorney General's Office Infrastructure and Logistics and the Secretariat of Agriculture should form a commission to discuss the titling of quilombola territories with meetings every four months with ITESP and communities and reinforced that in 2024 they will grant title to two communities Pedro Cubas in full and Praia Grande in part after being challenged by the Quilombola Communities ITESP presented for the first time a schedule for the granting of titles to quilombola territories indicating that by 2027 they will work to grant titles to 11 communities in the Ribeira Valley the territories chosen are those where there are fewer situations of land conflicts this planning was not done with the Communities it may be changed at their suggestion.  The Secretary of Agriculture stated that he does not have the resources to move forward with the titling process and asked the communities to help him with this issue including by making resources available via a parliamentary amendment Representatives from ITESP and the Department of Agriculture stated that they are working to hold a competition within the agency and that the Department does not have the personnel or structure to facilitate faster work.  “The responses given are far from meeting the demands for land titles and the program presented at the meeting is an initial initiative and still timid in the face of demand The unequal and unjustifiable treatment given by the Secretariat and ITESP to facilitate the granting of land titles to non-quilombolas needs to be reviewed and quilombolas need to be treated as a priority by the agency and the Secretariat of Agriculture so that land titles can move forward,” explained Fernando Prioste legal advisor at the Socioenvironmental Institute (ISA).   The Federal Superintendence of Agrarian Development of São Paulo said that positions such as that of the Public Defender's Office help to direct government action and recalled that the quilombola communities spent almost six years without public policies the reconstruction of the MDA and the quilombola division of INCRA occurred due to a demand from the Communities a new moment and a new possibility for this social group Edna Ferreira (Abobral Margem Direita Community which has been waiting for the publication of the Technical Scientific Report by ITESP for years) and Ataíde (Quilombo Pedro Cubas de Cima) read the letter with all the demands presented during the meeting.  “The lack of title to our territories directly affects our way of life creating and being happy [...] Our identity as quilombolas is threatened are murdered when they dare to fight for land,” says the letter Read alsoMother Bernadete's legacy grows as a root of struggle in Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares (BA) but we also need support from deputies and partner organizations the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of São Paulo the Public Defender's Office of the State of São Paulo the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and the Public Defender's Office of the Union to act in a coordinated manner so that our territories are titled,” he requested.  we will fight so that future generations have the right to land,” the document concluded Read the letter in full here The most relevant news for you to form your opinion on the socio-environmental agenda LAST ISSUE Trains from Britain to Spain put me a taxi ride away from Ribeira Sacra – an unspoiled region of river gorges The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Modes of transport always dictate the shape of the human landscape When travel took to the rails in the 19th century vast palaces of railway stations were built all over Europe I am passing through some of the best examples: in Paris I have time to leave my bags at Chamartín station and dash off to see the Goya frescoes at the church of St Anthony then nip back for the Renfe service to Ourense in Galicia The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. My week-long hike is in a little-known part of Galicia close to the northern border of Portugal called the Ribeira Sacra I arrive with my sister Jo after dark in the city of Ourense and take a taxi from the station up into the mountains Our plan is to walk back to Ourense over the next five days the headlights strafing deep forest and few houses “It is very wild up here,” says the driver Chestnut haven … the abandoned monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil Photograph: Angelines Concepcion/AlamyWe sleep in a room above the bar in the village of Parada de Sil and next morning begin to appreciate what is in store The footpath skirts the rim of a deep river gorge the early sun touching the forested crags on the far side and a few tiny terraces of vineyards We meet no other walkers until the abandoned Santa Cristina monastery where the path begins to meander through ancient groves of sweet chestnuts Many of the stone-built villages look semi-abandoned and decided to run towards hope and opportunity – Venezuela must have looked like a better option at the timeIn Castro we explore the narrow alleyways finding strange wooden box structures perched on great legs of granite An old lady in a pink dressing gown appears The great exodus from Galicia and the Ribeira had started in the early 19th century, but accelerated in 1850s, driven by a series of harsh winters. By 1960 more than a million people had gone the pantile roofs and balconies sagging and collapsing and decided to run towards hope and opportunity – Venezuela must have looked like a better option at the time The old lady confirms that wolves have returned hunting the herds of deer that now wander the abandoned groves of sweet chestnut “Some of the trees are over 1,000 years old.” Abandoned lands … the valley of the Rio Sil near Os Peares in Ourense province. Photograph: Image Professionals GmbH/AlamyThat night we sleep in the monastery of Santo Estevo In the twilight bats cruise the cloisters and owls hoot After two days we cross the River Sil at Os Peares and walk deeper into the interior Some of the villages here are completely abandoned usually a stooping old lady in a headscarf Stone steps lead up to once-lovely balconies now inhabited only by goats and cats Bill and Juan Carlos are restoring an abandoned fortified palace-cum-farmhouse built along the lines of a Roman villaAt Turbisquedo we meet Bill an American who came here 20 years ago with his partner and took on the project of restoring an abandoned fortified palace-cum-farmhouse with central courtyard and massively thick stone walls Bill’s tour turns into a fascinating trawl of regional history and an insight into the tumult and chaos that sent people into emigration who chose the wrong side in the Spanish civil war Bill shows us through to a first-floor bedroom “His widow decided that no one would ever capture the house again so she had the fortified tower constructed Free weekly newsletterThe only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns Journey’s end … the Roman bridge over the River Miño in Ourense Photograph: Hemis/AlamyOnce inside the tower the ingenuity of the builders is revealed: massive interlocking blocks of stone carefully slotted together to make the tower capable of withstanding artillery attack “The idea was that the family could retreat here and hold out.” No assault ever did come Bill and Juan Carlos are busy now with the land restoring ancient woodland and vineyards to production the huge camellia trees a testament to the mild climate that first drew people here Next night, another treat: a stay in the Casa Rectoral vineyard at San Eusebio then a long walk down to the River Miño and into the city of Ourense then the modernist masterpiece of the millennium bridge a span that allows pedestrians to climb all around it on a looping ribbon of concrete of course: a set of natural hot springs by the river Some have been turned into swanky spa resorts “Our grandfathers abandoned Galicia for Venezuela,” the old lady tells me this house represents a (brief) moment of “reconciliation” with Nature all of its ‘humid’ spaces emphasize a feeling of refuge and nostalgia – like an ‘elegy’ to the memory of the region’s (almost lost) thermal theme The bathroom spaces and a ‘rocky patio’ complete a simple residential program: a private bedroom secluded to the rear and the (locally called) “ribeira dos Moinhos” The idea of ​​a unified but fragmentable space An environment with its own character – although A precise design answer for a specific use – albeit ‘open’ and (almost) ambiguous not the (vulgar) principle of the ‘form that follows function’ but rather the design answer that allows for use and that can (occasionally) be freed from it ‘configuration’ and ‘functionality’ are as close a relationship as they are an unpredictable identity Álvaro Siza usually says that “Nature is Nature “we are condemned to find forms that harmonize with Nature completing it; and Nature always triumphs – but subjugated to our disturbances.” This will (always) be the role of architecture "Excavated" between the rocky cliffs a fraction of life becomes perennial – (in)finitely petrified The fall of a cable from the ‘zipline’ that is being installed between Porto Moniz and Ribeira da Janela left several places in the latter parish without electricity and caused slight damage to two houses During the installation work on the aforementioned recreational means of transport for people which ended up breaking the eaves of a house and damaging the balcony of another It also caused a high-voltage cable to burst leaving some areas of the Ribeira da Janela valley without electricity (Casais de cima The technical staff of the Madeira Electricity Company ended up reestablishing the power supply using a generator but they were still working on repairing the high-voltage cable today no one was injured,” said the mayor of Porto Moniz as the person responsible for civil protection in the municipality The zipline project is the responsibility of the company ‘Ready2Dream Lda’ and was approved about two years ago by the Porto Moniz Council It should be operational in the next few weeks as the promoter has suspended work to investigate what happened From Diário Notícias when will the utter madness of trying to add these “recreational” eyesores and idiotic money-grubbing pieces of junk all over the island end?! People generally come to Madeira FOR the natural beauty irresponsible carnival rides interrupting it everywhere And so the “Disneyfication” of Madeira continues This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Exotic musical world in general and also no do flamencoXerez-born artist Ana Crismán is the first and only person in the world who interprets and composes flamenco with harp Since I was a child I lived flamenco his native Xerez, territory flamenco par excellence. The music of the Plazuela and the San Miguel neighborhood has permeated his art since his birth. In 2019 he triumphed with the New York premiere of the show Arpa Jonda and since then his career has not stopped growing. Her second show Soníos del harpa negra was presented in the Reales Alcázares of Seville within the Bienal de Flamenco 2020, with enormous critical and public success. This success led him to travel through different countries and continents: France, Italy, Portugal, the United States, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Paraguay, Cuba and Morocco, sharing the stage on more than one occasion with great artists such as Miguel Poveda or Tomasa Guerrero “La Macanita ”. She participated in festivals flamenco as prestigious as Suma Flamenca from Madrid, or Flamenco on Fire of Pamplona or the Festival of Flamenco from Albuquerque, New Mexico (United States). She is currently focusing on her debut album Arpaora, a work that unites harp and flamenco, that unique fusion that is possible by capturing a journey of own compositions through two styles flamencoIt is more representative and has outstanding artists and musicians such as Jorge Pardo or Jesús Méndez. Never has a harp performed so many pauses in this musical genre with a purely flamenco linguaxe: seguiriyas, soleás, bulerías, alegrías, malagueñas, granaínas, guajiras, rondeñas, tientos, tangos...they are only a few moitos paus do flamenco that she makes the harp sound. During the year 2024, in addition to her performance at the Xerez Festival, in September she will go on a tour of the United States and will participate as a guest in our special events and unique places, such as the Royal School of Equestrian Art with her show How Andalusian Horses Dance. * all the pieces in this program are compositions by Ana Crismán Unique performances, stories behind the artists, and a space to celebrate and recognize the active and transversal role of... Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with * Save my name, email and website in this browser for future purposes. The Voice of the Flamenco in the World.  Please enter your username or email address to reset your password An exhibition of Lùa Ribeira’s series Agony in the Garden is now showing at the Museo Lázaro Galdiano in Madrid Lúa Ribeira traveled to her native Spain to explore the evolution of the trap and drill music scenes both sub-genres of hip-hop with trap originating in Atlanta in the 1990s and drill in Chicago in the early 2010s were quick to spread their influence worldwide Both have built a questionable reputation in wider society and controversial due to lyrics largely referencing gratuitous violence where unemployment rates are high among the younger generations the trap and drill scenes have been gaining momentum pulling the subgenres from underground movements to larger audiences and translating a foreign genre and aesthetics to become something of their own who had been following the evolution of the scene for several years recognized how the music had started taking on a new dimension for certain groups seeping into a sense of identity and forming close-knit communities of musicians Her exercise as a photographer was to try and capture this expanding influence on questions of identity She photographed everything from recognized artists to unknown communities a series halfway between reality and mythology drawing its name from a passage from the Bible that describes a period of anguish and prayer But the images are far from straightforward documentation. “My intention is to create a coherent universe that relates to a theme I believe is important to address, as well as being current and of the moment,” Ribeira explained in an interview about the project in 2022 a lot of what takes place is in a digital arena I had to be aware and think hard about how to create visual coherence I really like the idea of trying to translate the sound and energy [of trap and drill] into images “I had been listening to the genres for years and became inspired by how they have managed to transcend the local context in which they originated and resonate worldwide,” she writes now “The sound and aesthetics articulate a broader idea of the present moment and the atmosphere of general crises somehow generational across time and place interested me very much and allowed me to connect to the biblical-mythological aspect.” in a new exhibition at the Museo Lázaro Galdiano in central Madrid Ribeira’s images sit side-by-side with the likes of Goya many of which were also created in response to the same biblical passage references in the series title “It is a privilege to exhibit at this museum and to see the work next to classical paintings and art,” she says “I am interested in that timeless aspect when referencing mythology or religious myths.” The exhibition presents a comprehensive view of Agony in the Garden including Ribeira’s visual research constellations and her own sketches and outtakes — showing us the story of the project a real glimpse into Ribeira’s working method “Agony in the Garden” is now showing at the Museo Làzaro Galdiano (C. de Serrano, 122, Salamanca, 28006 Madrid) until August 25 as part of Photo España 2024. Plan your visit here who said that the road has been like this “for more than a week” “The road network in Ribeira Brava is a disgrace,” he adds before informing that there are cases in which locals plant banana trees in the middle of the road From Jornal Madeira Most likely that there is a damaged water pipe below that spot A series of photos that reached Diario Notícias this morning in the Ribeira das Cales area going down from the Poiso area the road surface can be a little dangerous for less attentive drivers Will it be expected that snow will fall in the coming days in the summaries that are already available until Monday in the ‘online stations’ of the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere tonight the temperature in the Areeiro area reached 1.9º Celsius The IPMA also guaranteed yesterday that Depression Eowyn considered the ‘storm of the century’ in Ireland which will hit mainland Portugal and the Azores From Diário Notícias "We know that this delay is a strategy so that one day the quilombola history will end" The slowness and lack of political interest in the titling of quilombola territories set the tone for the opening of the 15th Traditional Seed and Seedling Exchange Fair for the Quilombola Communities of Vale do Ribeira where communities in the region received delegations from other municipalities and states to share knowledge debate with society and question the public authorities about the inefficiency in the execution of public policies and compliance with the Constitution in guaranteeing the land regularization of quilombos in Vale do Ribeira and throughout the country In addition to demanding rights and strict compliance with the law the Fair also celebrated quilombola cultural wealth And it showcased part of the communities' productive diversity through the sale of fresh and processed products and the offering of native seedlings and seeds as a way of keeping alive the varieties of food and medicinal species that are cultivated in the region since the Diaspora and whose uses have been improved over the centuries Two other subjects dominated the discussions in thematic meetings organized by the Vale do Ribeira communities in moments of exchanges and debates One of them was the implementation of Resolution No 08/2012 of the Ministry of Education that defines the National Curricular Guidelines for Quilombola School Education in Basic Education remains far from being implemented by municipalities whose authorities insist on evasions and exemption from liability The other was the climate emergency that is plaguing the planet and which affects in a more incisive and disproportionate way traditional peoples and communities (PCTs) These are experiencing severe changes in their territories and have fewer resources and political power for mitigation and adaptation actions In a practical demonstration of how climate change has occurred more quickly and forcefully Eldorado reached a temperature of 35ºC on Saturday the day of the fair is a cold and rainy day “The terrible situation of quilombola communities in Vale do Ribeira – and throughout the state of São Paulo – in terms of access to land only reinforces that slavery never really ended are very bad at solving the problems of those who helped and continue to help build this country.” The speech is from the coordinator of the Articulation and Advisory Team for Black Communities of Vale do Ribeira (Eaacone) And we know that this slowness is a strategy so that one day the quilombola story will end All territories in Vale do Ribeira experience conflicts: either with third parties or with the State The slowness that André refers to was accounted for and resulted in alarming numbers at the rate at which the State operates historically it would take 2.708 years to complete the titling of the 1.857 quilombos with processes open at the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) This is without taking into account the data presented by the 2022 Census which shows the existence of 7,6 quilombola communities in Brazil which go through long recognition processes before opening procedures with to Incra “Events like this are essential for us to add efforts to demand that the Executive and Judiciary make collective commitments to the communities so that the titling of quilombola territories takes place within a reasonable period of time we remain in a state of constant alert and insecurity for reasons ranging from land conflicts and invasions You can't wait thousands of years for this to happen reinforced that abandoning the fight will never be an option for the country's quilombolas “All the rights we acquired are the result of a lot of struggle hope in the struggle of men and women who have never wavered.” Oriel is a member of the National Network of Quilombola Lawyers (Renaq) and one of the leaders of Quilombo Ivaporunduva the only quilombola territory in the region that is fully titled and registered “Our most important fight is to secure land recalling the one-year anniversary of the murder of Mother Bernadette shot dead in her own territory on August 17 in the midst of a life dedicated to the fight for titration “These historical struggles seem like invisible struggles leader of Quilombo Espírito Santo da Fortaleza de Porcinos Also participating in the meeting were the representative of the Public Ministry of the State of São Paulo (MP-SP) regional prosecutor for Social Rights in Vale do Ribeira; the representative of the Federal Public Defender's Office (DPU) regional human rights defender in São Paulo Érico Oliveira; and the representative of the Public Defender's Office of the State of São Paulo (DPE-SP) responsible for the collective demands of traditional communities in the Vale do Ribeira region Employees of the Fundação Instituto de Terras do Estado de São Paulo (Itesp) a state body whose responsibilities include “recognizing remaining quilombo communities and regularizing their areas” Climate injustice and the leading role of traditional peoples and communities in mitigating the effects caused by climate extremes also gained space for debate during the Traditional Seed and Seedling Exchange Fair of the Quilombola Communities of Vale do Ribeira Our elders already knew everything and taught us all care for the forest is part of the quilombola way of life When we protest against the dams on the Ribeira de Iguape River It is no coincidence that our region is the lungs of the state” coordinator of the area of ​​Combating Environmental Racism at the Peregum Black Reference Institute even though they cultivate a sustainable way of life that has preserved the largest remaining Atlantic Forest in the country quilombola territories have suffered from climate variations that directly affect their ways of life linked to cycles This is what the coordinator of the Vale do Ribeira Seed Network Cooperative We can no longer do what our elders did and taught us It's difficult because we can't predict or control it We follow what we’ve always done and these things happen.” leader of the National Coordination of Articulation of Black Rural Quilombola Communities (Conaq) and Quilombo Divino Espírito Santo located in the Sapê do Norte region in the state of Espírito Santo pointed out how the reality experienced in Vale do Ribeira is similar to that of its territory and other territories throughout Brazil “As my father says: the weather is intemperate more than half of the preserved forest is in PCT territories no one can rely on the lunar cycle anymore Our state was devastated by eucalyptus plantations and oil and gas exploration.” And he calls out: “This developmental way has to stop falling on us!” climate policy analyst at the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) is emphatic: “All of this is linked to racism” although denialists use the shallow argument that the environment cannot be racist there is a direct relationship between vulnerability and the exposure of racialized populations to the consequences of the climate crisis “Communities that have a relationship with the environment suffer more from climate change because of structural racism Because they do not have their territories guaranteed or they live in the lowlands and outskirts These populations are more vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.” traditional peoples and communities are the great solution to the climate crisis and its adverse events we are in the decade of ecological restoration and highlights how this action is fundamental in tackling the climate issue And restoration is one of the most important solutions in this sense because it captures carbon during its growth and in its preservation Vale do Ribeira is not the most degraded region you are leaders in the fight against climate change And the Seed Network initiative offers a very important and extremely relevant solution.” An achievement of decades of struggle by the black movement in 2003 President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned Law 10.639 making teaching about Afro-Brazilian History and Culture mandatory in primary and secondary education establishments “The program content will include the study of the History of Africa and Africans black Brazilian culture and black people in the formation of national society rescuing the contribution of black people in the social economic and political areas relevant to History of Brazil” the National Education Council considered a quilombola approach through Resolution No which defines the National Curricular Guidelines for Quilombola School Education in Basic Education the fight for the implementation of these devices remains the same there is an abyss between legal regulations and the implementation of the law in the territories “It is a shame that the municipality that has the largest concentration of quilombolas in the state of São Paulo has not implemented Resolution nº 08 to date” but also the accumulations and richness of Quilombola Education were the third topic under discussion during the 15th Traditional Seed and Seedling Exchange Fair of the Quilombola Communities of Vale do Ribeira The debate came from a thought by the quilombola writer philosopher and teacher Antônio Bispo dos Santos Nego Bispo: “I'm going to talk about us winning because they already talk about us losing” And so everyone discussed the importance of traditional wisdom in the education of quilombola children: the beauty of farming the history of their territories and communities the importance of farming in maintaining life and culture Everything that is not addressed today in a classroom that seems to be detached from the reality of its children maintaining a curriculum that is not in line with what actually matters in learning within communities “What the teachers sent to the territories preach is that children need to study to 'be someone' and not need to work in the fields But the quilombola is the one who makes the land The logic cannot be to remove these children from the territory but rather to awaken in them an awareness of the cultural richness that exists within their communities and all their possibilities” Aurico Dias summarizes: “Our intention was never to explore nature the following day was dedicated to the celebration with the sale and exchange of products and cultural presentations from quilombola communities not only in Vale do Ribeira Day to celebrate the cultural richness of quilombos and the productive diversity that represents the abundance cultivated and harvested by quilombola hands of different generations the traditional Quilombola lunch began to be prepared with a wide variety of products from the Traditional Quilombola Agricultural System next to the Grupo Cultural Puxirão Bernardo Furquim this moment of the Seed Fair “brings several importances: the exchange of knowledge and seeds and seedlings for the maintenance of knowledge the insertion of young people in this tradition the meeting of friends who at Sometimes they only meet on this occasion and the reinforcement of harmony between the territories that reinforces their connections for celebration and struggle” Santos highlights that the whole family is involved in this moment of presenting the products during the Fair and he says he took around 15 varieties for sale some of which are processed: cassava flour rapadura and taiada (a type of rapadura with ginger honey and haste (a cake made with tapioca starch Vanilda Donato understands the Seed Fair as a strategic moment on several fronts “This fair is an education for our children in the community struggle It is one of the largest organizations of quilombola communities in Vale do Ribeira We bring together not only the populations of the territories but also great partners who are with us in this strengthening strategy.” we keep the quilombolas in their territories Raquel Pasinato recalls that the Fair was born before the Traditional Agricultural System of the Quilombola Communities of Vale do Ribeira (SATQ) was recognized as Cultural Heritage of Brazil by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan) And considers that today it has become a strong instrument for its safeguard “The Fair represents the maintenance of the agrobiodiversity of this secular and ancestral quilombola system and contributes to keeping this system alive and biodiverse to produce food that nourishes the bodies and minds of the communities and those who access this food abundance shared by the quilombolas of Vale do Ribeira.” with support from the Secretariat of Culture Economy and Creative Industry of the Government of the State of São Paulo through the Cultural Action Program (ProAc) Sesc Registro also supported the event; the City Halls of Eldorado Iporanga and Itaoca; the Green Initiative; the Foundation for Forest Conservation and Production of the State of São Paulo; the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan); the Federal Institute of Education Campus Registro; and the Fundação Instituto de Terras do Estado de São Paulo (Itesp) either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content While Taylor Swift is yet to endorse anyone for the upcoming election, a PR expert has told Newsweek the singer is likely to throw her support behind Vice President Kamala Harris As Harris' showdown with former President Donald Trump—the GOP nominee—dominates the news cycle a host of Swifties have publicly declared their support for the Democrat with some urging the singer to do the same Luana Ribeira, founder of Dauntless PR said the buzz surrounding Harris as a presidential candidate is palpable and clever social media posts and support from celebrities are crucial to creating this atmosphere of optimism and excitement Ribeira believes that Swift's endorsement is imminent Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Swift for comment on Thursday "The trending hashtag #SwiftiesforHarris is a great sign for Kamala as we all know Taylor Swift fans know how to pull together and organize," Ribeira told Newsweek "Although Taylor Swift hasn't yet publicly voiced her support for Kamala she backed the Biden-Harris campaign in 2020 so her endorsement is likely The biggest advantage this will have is possibly getting people interested in the election who previously had no intention of voting "The key to success for Kamala is not to convert committed Republicans they won't vote for her no matter what she says and does Her focus needs to be on encouraging people who typically don't vote to come and support her at the ballot boxes." A TikTok account called @Swifties4Kamala launched soon after Biden backed Harris for the nomination describes itself as a "Coalition of Swifties mobilizing to get Dem candidates elected nationwide." At the time of writing the account had 104,800 followers and more than 465,000 likes "Swifties for Harris is a coalition of Taylor Swift fans committed to protecting the United States of America's historical democracy by working together to help elect progressive candidates in local and national elections including Vice President Kamala Harris for our country's next president," one of the posts on the account reads An X, formerly Twitter, account and Instagram account with the same name were also launched. At the time of writing, the X account had 58,100 followers and the Instagram account had 37,600 Ribeira explained that the reason celebrity endorsements are so important is because they are the ultimate brand people trust and recognize "If someone you think is amazing thinks that someone else is amazing you're going to listen to that more than you would simply hearing facts and figures or listening to that person try to sell themselves to you," she said "Celebrity endorsements are like the ultimate personal recommendation you ask your friends if they can recommend someone population won't know a presidential candidate personally but if someone they admire is backing them that will definitely boost their opinion of them and make them sit up and take notice of the things they stand for." Experts recently told Newsweek that the highly influential Swift is likely delaying her public endorsement of Harris to ensure maximum impact at the polls this November Over the years, Swift has proved herself to be a political force the singer asked her followers to register on the nonprofit nonpartisan website Vote.org in a post on Instagram Swift's post was followed by a surge of more than 35,000 registrations—an almost 25 percent increase over the same day the previous year said in a statement that the single-day surge in registrations was a "highly encouraging sign of voter enthusiasm," particularly as there was a 115 percent spike over 2022 in newly eligible 18-year-olds registering to vote In May, a poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek found that 22 percent of voters who backed Biden in the 2020 election said they would be more likely to vote for a GOP candidate in an election if Swift endorsed them The survey, which was conducted among 1,500 eligible voters on May 1, showed a 9-point increase from January, when only 13 percent of Biden 2020 supporters said they would be more likely to vote for a Republican candidate backed by Swift While Swift has yet to weigh in on the latest developments in the presidential race, the assumption has always been that Swift will back the Democratic ticket, given the fact that she did share her support for Harris during the 2020 election cycle in which the Democrat said she was "honored to join [Biden] as our party's nominee for vice president and do what it takes to make him our commander-in-chief." In October 2020, Swift revealed she was voting for the Democrats by posting a photo holding a plate of custom cookies decorated with the Biden/Harris campaign logo She also told her followers that she had conducted an interview with V Magazine about her decision to vote for Biden "So apt that it's come out on the night of the VP debate Gonna be watching and supporting @KamalaHarris by yelling at the TV a lot And I also have custom cookies," she wrote in the caption Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that's factual and fair Hold us accountable and submit your rating of this article on the meter. Newsletters in your inbox See all More than 300,000 LED lights will be lit up this Friday This year’s theme is ‘Christmas Star’ The festive season in this municipality runs until January 4th The Christmas Market is also back on the program a burger truck and a vendor selling roasted chestnuts “Santa Claus will arrive in the town to entertain the younger ones on the morning of 15th December and the Market Night is scheduled for 21st December there will be a Christmas lunch for the elderly population at the Ribeira Brava Pavilion with registrations taking place at the local authority The festival programme ends with the Cantar dos Reis on 4th January 2025 Throughout the month there will be plenty of music and entertainment with regional artists” One of the new features this year is the presence of a mini amusement park that will operate on the Marginal from tomorrow being another attraction for the Christmas festivities in the municipality the ‘I Choose Local Commerce’ Campaign is taking place which will award vouchers worth three thousand euros to those who make purchases in participating stores From Diário Notícias The Regional Civil Protection Service informs that the fire that broke out yesterday morning in Serra de Água remains active “so far no danger to homes has been reported” a team of firefighters remains in the nearest residential area there are 10 members of the Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol Mixed Firefighters five from the Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters 10 from the helitransport team and the helicopter on site The Madeira Regional Civil Protection Service thanks the work of the teams that are in the theatre of operations and appeals to everyone’s responsibility in preventing fires leaving the following recommendations: Do not throw lit matches or cigarettes on the ground; Do not light bonfires or start fires; Do not launch fireworks; Clear the undergrowth around your home From Diário Notícias we really shouldn’t have to be ‘ordered’…having witnessed the devastation last October I pray everyone will take heed All praise and thanks for our dedicated Fire crews With 84 exhibitions and 293 artists, this year’s PHotoESPAÑA extends into all corners of Madrid: there are shows in neo-baroque palaces and repurposed ironworks in a vertiginous water tower and amid the capital’s lush botanical gardens the festival spans from international names to anonymous discoveries – from a panoramic sample of the late Erwin Olaf’s career in a subterranean centre beneath the fountains of Plaza Colón to photographer David Trullo’s unearthing of an illicit trove of homemade erotica from the 1930s taken by a high-society Madrid couple who mysteriously disappeared There’s a collection of African and Middle Eastern photographers circling themes of exodus and migration; and the convention-defying Consuelo Kanaga a photographer who died virtually unknown but whose powerful portraits of African-American lives across the US are being newly reappraised We chose three highlights from the multitude of voices brought together for the next era of PHotoESPAÑA – its first under new director Maria Santoyo A recent signing to Magnum’s illustrious cooperative Lúa Ribeira melts into the communities she captures including the Jamaican dance hall scene and migrants living in limbo in a Tijuana park creating spaces where unpredictable encounters can occur and gravity.” She is also fascinated by the ways cultural expression can be liberating by movements that lie outside of the mainstream and how power structures work – preoccupations she can trace back to her upbringing in Galicia in northwest Spain a region whose distinctive traditions were violently suppressed during Franco’s dictatorship inspired by the emerging trap and drill music scenes in Spain – where numbers of unemployed young people teeter around the second-highest in Europe Ribeira says she’s intent less on documenting the subculture and its hedonism than reading between the lines translating its sound and energy into moments that seem to exist outside of time She sets her subjects in rocky landscapes dotted with illegal landfills a backdrop that nods to this generation’s late-capitalism inheritance Ribeira finds richness in a community sometimes represented as shallow and apolitical “I think there is something rooted and fearless in the way they articulate the present moment – the financial crisis the ecological crisis,” she said at the crowded opening of her show “This music is a way of connecting as a group of people in this present People who do not have a lot of money or potential jobs – but they have their phones and that gives them space to communicate while everything that surrounds you is desolate.” Alongside her photographs Ribeira includes a glimpse into her kaleidoscopic references – the screenshots religious and mythological imagery she draws on to create work that reaches for a way to dismantle the seemingly rigid structures that separate us Agony in the Garden is at Lázaro Galdiano Museum in Madrid LA-based photographer Widline Cadet couldn’t come to the Madrid opening of her exhibition Take this with you; despite living in the US since she was ten It’s an absence that’s also conjured in her work – the early absence of her mother who left Haiti to work in New York when she was a baby the absence across the ocean of the homeland to which Cadet can’t return “It’s a dance between where you’re from and where you’re going,” says Désirée Kroep introducing the photographer’s haunting work at the Casa de America a 19th century palace close to El Retiro park Untangling the parts of herself and her history she no longer has access to Cadet peppers the gallery with memories: framed family photographs on a mantelpiece Haitian funeral of a grandmother she never met even her former living room and its floral The result is a dreamlike family archive of her own that is suffused with a deep yearning ache – but also isn’t quite what it seems unaccounted for pair of limbs or the strangers on the street that she reimagines as doppelgangers or siblings all act as a reminder of the slippery nature of memory Take this with you is at House of America in Madrid the painterly images of Ukrainian rocket-scientist-turned-photographer Boris Savelev positively glow they “do something magical with light,” says longtime friend and the show’s curator Savelev has been exhibited alongside Nan Goldin in the past a kinship that’s tangible in the way Savelev trains a deeply empathetic eye on the grimy urban textures he’s drawn to “So many of these are images that seem to be taken from the gutter but actually they're star gazing,” says Lowe This is Savelev’s largest retrospective to date encompassing a six-decade career from Leica to digital Together they tell a layered story of social and political convulsion: “When I first met Boris in ‘95 the world was changing and it felt so optimistic,” Lowe says people were communicating and Boris was travelling to Madrid or London or New York something starts to happen with the shadows in his photographs – a feeling of optimism has gone.” But Savelev’s quicksilver instinct for an image remains intact – he doesn’t like his subjects to notice him before the shutter clicks: “When he's out photographing “You see him walking along the street and suddenly he'll feel various things coming together and it’s almost like a dog picking up a scent; his whole body language changes and he'll be off.” Viewfinder: A Way of Looking is at El Espacio Cultural Serreria Belga in Madrid PHotoESPAÑA is on until September 29 Bandia Ribeira graduated with a degree in political science but took a photography course while studying that reoriented her towards journalism “For a few years I didn’t know what to do professionally; in Spain there was a lot of youth unemployment and I did a bit of everything,” she says Signing up for a postgraduate course in photojournalism starting with a personal project about a women’s prison in Barcelona Her first major long-term undertaking was Ni un hogar sin lumbre ni una familia sin pan (‘Neither a Home Without a Light It was sparked by a visit to coastal Almería Realising the area had radically changed since her youth she decided to move back to chronicle the differences a panoramic spectrum involving the entire agricultural business she describes the “profit- maximising food production system and the environmental and human harm it brings about” Evolving the project into a more personal gaze Ribeira eventually honed in on everyday life in the region She was most interested in the children of local migrant workers and spent much of her time “searching for places This approach translates into an arduous production process “because many days you come back home with no photos or many bad photos” But that process is also partly why artist and educator Alejandro Acín nominated Ribeira for Ones to Watch “Bandia embraces slow photography to immerse herself in the places she works,” he says politically and artistically.” Her project Ni un hogar sin lumbre… is important “It challenges the sometimes reductive and sensationalist narrative in the mainstream media about the working communities in this area Bandia’s intimate and domestic approach to labour is unique and unusual within the long tradition of photographers exploring this topic.” It is a tradition of which Ribeira is well aware Her latest work was made in California’s Central Valley where she worked for several months on a Fulbright research and artistic production grant revisiting the locations in which Dorothea Lange photographed migrant farm workers in the 1930s and creating a modern-day update She was also inspired by Cristina García Rodero’s colour photographs in Spain and the US throughout the 1980s and 90s and Alex Webb’s work in New Mexico in the 2000s both of which she found in the archive at Magnum Photos Ribeira also made several trips to Washington to study the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Photograph Collection which charts US involvement in World War Two “As many of the men went off to fight on the European front many women took up positions in factories and other productive sectors – and so it was in the photography team of this department,” she says “I found extensive bodies of work made by women photographers such as Esther Bubley or Marjory Collins and I was struck by how this work had not been made relevant in the history of the medium.” Ribeira’s Californian project marked her first time in the US the air pollution and the poverty she found there She shadowed a doctor-run mobile medical unit – a caravan parked once a week near an industrial estate – which provides free healthcare to homeless people with drug addiction issues “Some areas were real refugee camps – that made a big impact on me,” she says “It was a kind of apocalyptic scenario – homeless people on the street and the rest of the population moving around in big cars.” It is an insight that perhaps crystallises Ribeira’s work Choosing not to turn away from contemporary communities’ harsher realities she makes images that are informative and encourage empathy Sarah Moroz is a Franco-American journalist and translator based in Paris Her words have been published in the International New York Times A Jeep crashed this morning on the expressway According to what was possible to ascertain A night watchman who was leaving work stopped the vehicle to help the driver The Public Security Police took charge of the incident From Diário Notícias Ghostbuster jeep is damaged…..what a shame… Lorenzo Meloni and Peter van Agtmael feature in an exhibition organized by Fujifilm What springs to mind when you hear the word “connection” in relation to photography Is it the possible connection between photographer and subject Lorenzo Meloni and Peter van Agtmael were each invited to make a new series around the word “connection,” an open-ended invitation to explore the theme following their instinct the exhibition now delves into the four resulting bodies of work The collaboration between Magnum and Fujifilm marks a new chapter in their long-standing relationship and has since flourished across various regions in the world spanning exclusive commissions to educational workshops — and this year The four resulting projects, all shot on Fujifilm’s GFX100 II, are, visually speaking, vastly different, with each photographer exploring different approaches and visions, as is immediately apparent upon walking into the exhibition found at Galerie Arena in Arles (open from July 1 to August 25) themes of playfulness and provocation seep into each Self-connection is the avenue that she chose to pursue with her ongoing project Glorify Yourself the photographer satirizes a “beauty and charm guide” for women popular in the US during the 1940s and 50s From how to diet to change their body type to how to sit or walk in an “attractive” manner the book provides “advice” on all aspects of a woman’s life “The book provides insight into the universe of desires and delusions that gave rise to the world I inhabit,” Drake explained during an exhibition at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson in 2023 I began putting myself in the positions described in the book Lúa Ribeira’s connection is from the point of view of a new mother with a new series titled “The Carers.” Ribeira decides to turn her lens on her newborn child Shot within a five-minute walk from her home in Bristol the images subvert traditional expectations of a typical “mother-baby” photograph by entrusting her baby to women she would bump into within the street Ribeira’s practice often focuses more widely on the mechanisms of exclusion seeking out parts of society or community that are often either heavily shielded from the public eye or commonly misrepresented Creating connection with the people that she photographs is essential in creating enough ease for her to experiment with themes of theatricality and playfulness “The images question her role as a mother and her own natural instinct to shield her baby from strangers,” writes Ebeling Meloni blurs the boundaries between the natural and the artificial with his series which marks a turning point in Meloni’s practice to date explores the impact of the unsustainable practices that result in ecological degradation and damage as well as some of the research and technologies being tested as potential solutions his images portray abandoned establishments and rural landscapes often pointing toward how man-made structures and nature connect and cohabit the same spaces “‘Revelation’ originated from the Greek word ‘apokàlypsis,’ which literally means to unveil so the project aims to lift the veil on places generally inaccessible to citizens and landscapes that we often neglect to observe critically in our daily lives,” Meloni describes can prompt us to rethink current trajectories and re-engage with the complexities of our world,” he adds after spending over two decades documenting the USA Peter van Agtmael decided to embark on a new body of work in France having permanently moved to the country only last year More diaristic than his previous work covering conflict this new chapter in his work captures themes of alienation and displacement in juxtaposition to the sense of newness and self-discovery in a new country and marriage “Peter is finding himself in a new country learning a new language with its attendant frustrations and absurdities and trying to settle into his new life with his French wife “The display here distills van Agtmael’s varied way of working with a central axis of images traveling from the personal to the documentary Images constantly take flight from the straight line — a distracted thought or a sudden feeling.” and to the community are the four different kinds of projects explored in this project is that they each “use photographs as a tool to manifest personal truths,” rather than acting as an omniscient narrator “They all know that it is no longer enough to simply take pictures,” he concludes And during the opening week of the Rencontres d’Arles photo festival (July 1 to July 6), a program of events organized by Fujifilm and Magnum expand the theme “connection” to involve the general public, inviting visitors to the Fujikina space at the historic Hotel Quiqueran de Beaujeu a number of talks with each of the photographers and a guest appearance from Cristina de Middel will be taking place each morning of that week — a chance to hear the photographer discuss their practice more widely a series of free portfolio reviews for aspiring or practicing photographers will be held in partnership with the Magnum Learn team again at the Fujikina space in the center of Arles View the full program of events organized by Fujifilm and Magnum here.  The red flag was hoisted yesterday afternoon on Ribeira Brava beach after the presence of two rays were detected inside the beach (sand area) As there were no new ‘unwanted visits’ From Diário Notícias João Cepeda’s House in Ribeira dos Moinhos, carved into the contours of a rugged cliff in Portugal, intertwines architecture with nature. Framed by a group of large blocks of sawn local granite, the house just like its neighbouring river that streams through the mountains represents a moment of reconciliation with the environment It is conceived to be both functional and flexible all of its interior ‘humid’ spaces emphasize a feeling of refuge and nostalgia evoking the lost thermal heritage of the region creating a timeless connection to the past all images by rendergram a private bedroom and the pool are positioned at the rear while a large living area with expansive glazing faces east towards the stream known locally as Ribeira dos Moinhos A rocky stone patio further enhances the house’s connection to its natural surroundings João Cepeda carves House in Ribeira dos Moinhos into the contours of a rugged cliff House in Ribeira dos Moinhos’ design concept follows Álvaro Siza’s ideology that ‘Nature is nature architecture is geometry,’ and Umberto Eco’s view that ‘We are condemned to find forms that harmonize with Nature completing it – and nature always triumphs but subjugated to our disturbances.’ This will always be the role of architecture it is a metaphor for time.’ This is how this stone house is — just crafted by time — excavated between the rocky cliffs overlooking a small river stream that slices through the mountains the house is framed by a group of large blocks of sawn local granite a rocky stone patio enhances the house’s connection to its natural surroundings the elements of the engulfing natural environment are brought inside the house embodies the concept of a unified yet fragmentable space name: House in Ribeira dos Moinhos architect: João Cepeda | @joaocepedaarch designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here. AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style Ya sea Nick Cave o Nas, The Libertines o Nirvana, lo que todos tienen en común es la capacidad de hacer que te detengas en seco y te sientas como si tu mundo se hubiera volcado brevemente. Ed Power y Roisin O'Connor eligen sus favoritos The Atlantic island of Madeira has been on alert for high temperatures and risk of wildfires for days Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The European Union sent two water bombing planes from Spain to the Portuguese island of Madeira on Thursday to help efforts to put out a wildfire that has been raging for eight days. The blaze, which started on 14 August, has burned nearly 12,355 acres of vegetation, mostly in mountainous areas with steep slopes and difficult access. Portugal requested assistance via the EU civil protection mechanism RescEU. EU authorities provided the two Canadair planes and said the bloc stood ready to deploy additional resources if necessary. Regional government chief Miguel Albuquerque said the planes would join the firefighting effort on Thursday afternoon. “These planes, which dump 6,000 litres of water, will be only used to tame the fire in the central mountain range. They cannot be utilised in urban or agricultural areas,” he told the state broadcaster RTP. Firefighters, backed by a dozen vehicles and a helicopter were tackling the blaze in the central mountain range and in Ponta do Sol, on the southern coast. Both fronts are on high ground and away from residential areas. The Atlantic island of Madeira – an autonomous region of Portugal with around 250,000 residents, and which is a popular tourist destination – has been on alert for high temperatures and risk of wildfires for days. Rising global temperatures due to climate change have led to more frequent wildfires, from southern and eastern Europe to North America and parts of Asia. Meanwhile, in Greece, the government said on Tuesday it would offer emergency compensation totalling millions of euros to hundreds of households and businesses affected by a blaze that killed one woman and burned 10,000 hectares near Athens. The blaze began on 11 August near the town of Varnavas, 22 miles from the capital, and within a day reached the city’s northern suburbs on the slopes of Mount Penteli, one of the closest forests to the capital. Inspections so far have identified some 146 houses severely damaged, with 31 businesses also affected. Authorities will offer up to €150,000 to households, 80 per cent in government aid and 20 percent in interest-free loans, and up to €500,000 to destroyed businesses, the finance ministry said in a statement. It was not immediately clear how much the state had budgeted for compensation, but a government official told Reuters that the amount would exceed €30m, including €5.2m of extra subsidies to affected municipalities. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Smoke rises from a forest fire on the hills of Serra de Agua in Ribeira Brava, Madeira Island, Portuga The Ribeira Brava City Council (CMRB) has announced that it has opened a new car park in the town The underground car park is located in the square next to the Padre Manuel Álvares School and has capacity for around one hundred cars the car park is the responsibility of the Ribeira Brava City Council modern equipment and is a large space with easy circulation The local authority hopes that this new parking offer will provide even more dynamism to the town of Ribeira Brava This is a structural work included in the town’s urban regeneration project that extends from the seafront to the sports pavilion with the aim of improving pedestrian circulation in the town’s historic centre The work focused on improving the pavement and sidewalks as well as building this car park that is now available to the public so that people can enjoy everything that Ribeira Brava has to offer” From Jornal Madeira You may google and put the date of yesterday and words like: sea floating an expensive built house by the beach just being lift and washed into the ocean Thank you municipality of Ribeira Brava to have this facilities Next time I go there I will park the on the shade A head-on collision in the tunnel connecting Ribeira Brava to Tabua this afternoon caused three injuries and significant material damage to the vehicles involved were travelling in the same car and the driver of the other vehicle also had to receive hospital treatment Assistance to the victims was provided by the Mixed Firefighters of Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol by the Volunteer Firefighters of Câmara de Lobos and by the Volunteer Firefighters of Calheta From Diário Notícias 90 % of the road user don’t even know where the indicator lever is located in the car specially not in closed confines like tunnels… Do all the drivers on the island have a death wish If you stay in lane you don’t have head on collisions it looks to me that one of the drivers did stay in their lane and still had a collision head on The fire that broke out yesterday morning in Serra de Água is relentless and has already spread to the Espigão and Trompica areas There are currently 10 members of the Ribeira Brava and Ponta do Sol Mixed Firefighters and five from the Madeira Volunteer Firefighters on site The multi-mission helicopter from the Regional Civil Protection Service has also returned to the field and is carrying out some water discharges to stop the flames on this yellow warning day where temperatures promise to continue to rise the helicopter had to abort the mission yesterday afternoon due to the strong winds in Serra de Água This is one of the three fires with the highest incidence in the Region this year From Diário Notícias Portuguese architecture practice AXR – Arquitetura e Design was commissioned to renovate and requalify the Municipal Square Ribeira de Pena and its surroundings  the heart and epicentre of local life where urban dynamics and social spaces converge Ribeira de Pena is a small municipality in the Vila Real District located on a zone of transition between the harsh and mountainous Trás-os-Montes and the verdant Minho crossed by the calm waters of the Tâmega River This renovation designed by the AXR – Arquitetura e Design architecture atelier aims to transform the square into a central reference point adopting a strategy to enhance visual and functional continuity creating a gentle topography and other material elements A topographic effort inspired by old images of the Church where even before there was a “square” it was already understood as a single slightly sloping space where some outdoor masses and pilgrimages were celebrated transforming the square into a fluid and multifunctional space enriching the cultural and social identity of the community Vegetal continuity is ensured through a cluster of trees that starts from the Coreto garden Municipal Square and surroundings of Ribeira de Pena by AXR – Arquitetura e Design Project description by AXR – Arquitetura e Design The Town Hall Square and the surrounding area of the church are among the most important spaces from an urban perspective in Ribeira de Pena both because they assume a central place in the town and because they are the crossroads of the dynamics and spaces that constitute it This intervention establishes the Town Hall Square as the central space of the town while simultaneously activating its immediate surroundings It functions as the “heart of the town,” serving as the starting point for configuring and energizing its public space The space is defined by integrative boundaries of the adjoining areas with a design where urban furniture elements and the scale aim to expand the boundaries and merge various spaces and the appropriation of the space in a continuum with the Central Square where the central space is freed up and all added elements have a strong logic for their inclusion a set of trees is added to provide shade to seating areas and to frame: the Church a Fountain that resolves the topographic level difference and brings life to the Square an extension of a bench and wall that define the boundary of the Square and frame the Town Hall a tourist Lettering that evokes linen motifs a product of the region to exalt the historical heritage value of the tradition of the municipality The strategy materializes by affirming the continuities of all existing logics or related to the enhancement and framing of all existing historical heritage The continuity of circulations and accesses was materialized through the transformation of the square (which unfolded in several staircases) into a single plane with a gentle slope the existing staircases were removed and the strategy focused on utilizing and enhancing a central square located in a hillside area making this space harmonious and endowed with shaded spots appealing to be a multipurpose space without obstacles Visual continuity is provided by constantly seeking visual framing whether through the punctual placement of vertical elements like trees to reinforce the symmetry and axiality of the Church or through the use and standardization of materials such as pavements or urban furniture or wall coverings This square functions as a multipurpose platform in a territory undergoing significant development It maintains a sense of unity and ensures the rehabilitation of the existing urban fabric respecting the past but looking to the future and what these spaces can come to represent valuing and framing the Historical and Cultural Heritage and allowing them to appropriate and use a central urban space thus attributing it a cultural and social identity.  AXR – Arquitetura e Design Ivo Tavares Studio. AXR – Arquitetura e Design es un estudio de arquitectura con sede en Vila Real fundado y dirigido por André Xavier Rodrigues Es arquitecto por la Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade do Minho Archive Urbanism-Landscape The World Heritage Centre is at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to protect and preserve World Heritage partnerships for conservation Ensuring that World Heritage sites sustain their outstanding universal value is an increasingly challenging mission in today’s complex world where sites are vulnerable to the effects of uncontrolled urban development Our Partners Donate Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information renamed Cidade Velha in the late 18th century was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics Located in the south of the island of Santiago the town features some of the original street layout impressive remains including two churches a royal fortress and Pillory Square with its ornate 16th century marble pillar rebaptisée Cidade Velha à la fin du XVIIIème siècle a été la première ville coloniale construite par les Européens sous les tropiques Située au sud de l'île de Santiago elle conserve une partie de son tracé viaire et d'importants vestiges une forteresse royale et la place du Pilori avec sa colonne de marbre de style manuélin مدينة ريبيرا غراند، التي أعيدت فسميت فيلها في أواخر القرن الثامن عشر، كانت أول مدينة بناها الاستعمار الأوروبي في المناطق المدارية تقع ريبيرا غراند في الجنوب من جزيرة سانتياغو، لا تزال تحافظ على بعض ملامحها التاريخية الأصلية وبعض المعالم القديمة الهامة من بينها كنيستان، و القلعة الملكية مع هيكلها في الساحة المزخرفة حسب القرن السادس عشر وعمودها الرخام bautizada de nuevo con el nombre de Cidade Velha a finales del siglo XVIII fue el primer establecimiento colonial europeo asentado en la zona tropical Situada en la parte meridional de la Isla de Santiago esta ciudad conserva parte de su trazado urbano primitivo en el que subsisten edificios y espacios admirables: dos iglesias una fortaleza real y la Plaza de la Picota con su rollo de mármol esculpido en estilo manuelino (siglo XVI) historic centre of Ribeira Grande demonstrates Outstanding Universal Value: Ribeira Grande was the first European colonial town to be built in the tropics and marks a decisive step in European expansion at the end of the 15th century towards Africa and the Atlantic area a key port of call for Portuguese colonisation and its administration It was an exceptional centre in the routes for international maritime trade included in the routes between Africa and the Cape It provides an early image of transcontinental geopolitical visions isolated but close to the coasts of Africa made it an essential platform for the Atlantic trade of enslaved persons of modern times A place of concentration of enslaved persons and the inhuman practices of the trade of enslaved persons Ribeira Grande was also exceptional in terms of the intercultural encounters from which stemmed the first developed Creole society The valley of Ribeira Grande experimented with new forms of colonial agriculture on the boundary between the temperate and tropical climates It became a platform for the acclimatisation and dissemination of plant species across the world the remains still present in Ribeira Grande and its maritime and agro-urban landscapes are testimony to its considerable role in international trade associated with the development of European colonial domination towards Africa and America and the birth of Atlantic triangular trade They are testimony to the organisation of the first intercontinental maritime trade and Ribeira Grande’s role as centre for the acclimatisation and dissemination of numerous plant species between the temperate and tropical zones maritime and landscape of Ribeira Grande provides eminent testimony to the origins and the development of over three centuries of Atlantic trade of enslaved persons in modern times and its relationships of domination It was a major place for its commercial organisation and the early experience of using enslaved persons to develop a colonial territory The mixing of human races and the meeting of African and European cultures gave birth to the first Creole culture Criterion (vi): Ribeira Grande is directly associated with the material manifestation of the history of the enslavement and trafficking of African peoples and with its considerable cultural and economic consequences Ribeira Grande was the cradle of the first fully fledged mixed-race Creole society Creole culture then spread across the Atlantic adapting to the different colonial contexts of the Caribbean and Americas Its forms affected many fields including the arts Ribeira Grande is an important initial link in an intangible heritage shared by Africa The authenticity and integrity of the property is generally acceptable together with the necessity of an ongoing policy of rehabilitation The property’s management system is satisfactory its legal protection must be completed and the practical methods for the operation of the recent inter-agency management structures specified The Ribeira Brava Parish Council carried out the complete restoration of the Espigão Viewpoint which ended up being damaged as a result of the fires The parish council also reports that the road accesses were also cleaned so that all traffic conditions on the roads in this area could be restored as quickly as possible president of the Ribeira Brava Parish Council states that “all the interventions in Espigão and surrounding areas that the Ribeira Brava Parish Council team was willing to carry out were so that the municipal teams could concentrate on the parish of Serra de Água the parish in the municipality most affected by the fire This was a way of showing solidarity with our neighbouring parish as we are from the same municipality and together we are better prepared and closer to the population of Ribeira Brava” The Sagrada Família viewpoint also received attention from the Ribeira Brava Parish Council This entire investment cost around 7,500 euros “it is crucial to ensure proper access to people’s homes and it is always important to keep the viewpoints in good condition as these are works that bring visibility to our parish.” From Jornal Madeira Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email The fire that broke out seven days ago in Madeira continues to rage in Curral das Freiras (Câmara de Lobos) Serra de Água (Ribeira Brava) and in the municipality of Ponta do Sol the president of the regional civil protection said today António Nunes indicated that at 1:00 pm there were “two theatres of operation” one of which was in the parish of Curral das Freiras in principle we will not have any problems with homes because the wind will drive the fire in the opposite direction to where the houses are located” in that location “if the fire reaches the top of the mountain it will be possible to intervene with air resources in that area” if the helicopter is available at the time and the weather conditions allow for this “It is impossible to do anything in that area with foot or even mechanical resources” Pointing out this situation as the “most worrying of all” because it is an inaccessible area the president of the regional civil protection insisted that in Fajã dos Cardos there is little chance of doing anything other than waiting “Not even air resources can enter the valley because this enclosed valley has such strong winds that we cannot operate there and we also cannot go there to drop water” In the “Serra de Água theatre of operations” there were “three fronts” in the early afternoon since “Encumeada [in the same municipality] is limited” and is not currently a cause for “concern” said the president of the regional civil protection had said that the Encumeada front had been extinguished and it is expected to be controlled “within a few hours” the official explained that “they are really very close together” but considered that “calling it a front is an exaggeration” because it is the only place where we are able to do something with land resources” The rural fire in Madeira broke out on Wednesday in the mountains of Ribeira Brava spreading the following day to the municipality of Câmara de Lobos the authorities advised nearly 200 people to leave their homes as a precaution and provided public shelter facilities The fight against the flames has been hampered by the wind but there are no reports of destruction of houses or essential infrastructure A firefighter received hospital treatment for exhaustion Projections from the European Forest Fire Information System indicate that seven thousand hectares have been burned The Judicial Police are investigating the causes but the president of the Madeiran executive We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal Chão da Ribeira do  Seixal returns today to host the traditional Festa do Panelo It is one of the first popular festivities of the year in Madeira a tradition that was born spontaneously by the population mainly by the hand of the owners of the Palheiros (small cow sheds that have been converted to places to stay) then laid out on the ground or tables on cabbage leaves for people to enjoy This festival falls on the Sunday after the Festa Santo Antão in Seixal please send to madeiraislandnews@gmail.com and I will get them on later today It’s when we used to wake up to cast our net on the river,” Adan Pereira says “The hard part was to play odds and evens to see who’d get in the water But I’d feel sorry for my father and do it.” and we’ve just boarded a boat to cross the Ribeira de Iguape River in Brazil’s São Paulo state and the wind blows a brisk 9° Celsius (48° Fahrenheit) on this early winter morning We’re headed to where Adnan and his father farm the left bank of the Ribeiro de Iguape Along with other members of their quilombo they produce mainly bananas and palm hearts a farmer for whom the weather is never bad Dew drops glitter as the silvery moonlight hits the banana grove A wood stove soon crackles into life: coffee and it has been passed on from generation to generation,” he says In 2018, the Traditional Quilombola Agricultural System (TQAS) of the Ribeira Valley was declared a practice of “intangible cultural heritage” of Brazil by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) A legacy of the Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans who occupied the Ribeira Valley this form of Itinerant agricultural system is an ancient farming system practiced by traditional populations in tropical forests thereby combining production with conservation Many people say that this burning degrades the soil There are several studies proving that it doesn’t burn all the nutrients.” While it’s often considered controversial and requires adaptations in times of climate change partial and controlled burning of the land helps boost the potassium as well as the accumulation of organic carbon which is a fertilizer for tropical forests soils that are often poor in nutrients Then they move on to a new plot and leave the old one to regenerate into forest This type of farming comprises the basis of the knowledge of the Ribeira Valley quilombolas they’ve derived their practices of crop management and diversity The form of TQAS practiced here in the Ribeira Valley includes observing the phases of the moon to start planting “It’s always three days before waning or on the first day,” Adan says If you plant the seed during the waning moon Everything is based on a tradition and a reason In the back of the four-wheel-drive truck sit a scythe hangs the basket made of braided straw on her back As she heads off up a trail that’s just as steep the sun warms the hills in this patch of Atlantic Forest and the bodies swathed in coats so you can’t use tractors,” says João da Mota a farmer who accompanies us along the trail from the Nhunguara quilombo to Rosana’s patch of land “These products have been important to us since our elders’ time They used to plant all this diversity for their own consumption,” says Rosana the elders already planted sweet potatoes to feed the little babies My father always said that when a woman got pregnant she had to have sweet potatoes right away; it was the babies’ food Potatoes and yams are daily staples for Rosana, who also serves as the financial officer for the Quilombola Farmers Cooperative of the Ribeira Valley (Cooperquivale) She shows off the diversity of sweet potatoes that grow in her soil: “They took advantage of the goodness of the land; they branched out a lot,” she says Most of the food consumed in the communities is produced by the quilombolas themselves but birds came and ate much of it,” Rosana says “The weather didn’t help either and the corn didn’t yield what we expected.” but we had no place to sell it,” Rosana says Then we thought about creating the cooperative.” Cooperquivale sells the surplus production of 19 quilombola communities and has more than 240 members It sells around 80 types of food items to government programs at a weekly fair in the municipality of Eldorado and at trade agencies and projects in the city of São Paulo we see an abundance of tangerine and lemon The ground is scattered with the fallen fruits She talks about the need to expand sales opportunities including participation in government schemes such as the Food Acquisition Program (PAA-DS) under the Simultaneous Donation system and the National School Meal Program (PNAE) “We wanted the authorities and public policies to consider that we were small farmers but we could produce and put our produce on the table for them too Adan shows the diversity of his crops in the Sapatu quilombo yam and jacataúva (Citharexylum myrianthum) It will return the organic matter to the soil and there will be diversity.” We fly a drone up over the Ribeira de Iguape River it’s possible to see the greenery described in the numbers: With about 80% of forest coverage this region is home to Brazil’s largest contiguous remnant of the Atlantic Forest accounting for a fifth of the 7% of the biome that remains which connects the southwest of São Paulo state with the northeast of Paraná covers more than 2 million hectares (5 million acres) and is home to more than 80 quilombos “They have been working in the fields and then leaving them fallow since the time of my great-grandfather — that’s amazing!” Adan says “Look at it now: Sapatu has 90% of its territory preserved All we need to have a good life is 2 or 3 hectares [5-7 acres] of well-tended crops a well-planted little grove for palm hearts and then know how to sell it — for example through the cooperative that knows how to distribute it.” Quilombolas like Adan’s forebears had been working in the Ribeira Valley for hundreds of years when the government began to see their activities as deforestation they were required to obtain environmental licenses to plant on land that had always been theirs The process was long: a license request submitted in January might only be issued in December the right time to plant the crops had passed,” Rosana says In another move restricting the quilombolas’ farming practices the government in 2008 established an environmental protection area part of a mosaic of 14 such areas conserving a continuous stretch of Atlantic Forest remnants Both the Nhunguara and Sapatu quilombos are located within the environmental protection area That has effectively hobbled the quilombolas and their farming practices an educator and public advocate at the Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) a nonprofit that advocates for the rights of Indigenous and traditional peoples “Everything has happened in this period: licensed plantations lack of technical assistance to cultivate crops “instead of helping to safeguard traditional [land] management the environmental protection area may undermine this system.” In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the looming risk of food insecurity the quilombolas enacted a resolution in 2020 after years of struggle It allowed them to plant first and then seek validation with the authorities afterward The resolution will run until the end of this year Indigenous and quilombola lands are particularly effective at promoting regrowth of degraded areas “From a national and international point of view conservation units are less efficient for environmental conservation than territories of traditional peoples and communities,” Prioste says Nurit Bensusan, a biologist with the ISA who has written extensively about environmental policy in Brazil calls the conservation unit model a colonial holdover “Everyone here cuts down the Atlantic Forest everyone destroys the Atlantic Forest to build beachfront hotels and people think it’s great,” she says “But the quilombolas are seen as backward rather than as those whose way of life has preserved the most important fragments of the Atlantic Forest.” In addition to the quilombolas’ struggle to continue practicing their traditional farming system and obtain titles to their land it took them 28 years of opposition to the construction of the Tijuco Alto dam before its license was denied in 2016 which would have been developed by Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) to power its nearby aluminum plant would have flooded an area of 5,600 hectares (13,800 acres) where 580 families live Maria Tereza Vieira says collecting seeds changes the way people look at things — starting with children thought I was buying them,” says Maria Tereza I never said no to those kids; I always found a way calculated the price and paid them with my money That network is the Ribeira Valley Seed Network which started in 2017 as an effort to safeguard the seeds of the native Atlantic Forest vegetation and sell them to tree nurseries and restoration projects 42 collectors from four quilombos take part they gathered 1,400 kilograms (3,100 pounds) of seeds or around 2,900 reais ($540) for each collector “This changed the way we think and made us value nature even more,” Maria Tereza says they’ve sold more than 100 species of seeds enough to reforest more than 40 hectares (100 acres) of degraded Atlantic Forest areas the seeds stored at the ISA headquarters in Eldorado moved to a new home: The Seed House in the Nhunguara quilombo Made of packed earth with gravel from the Ribeira do Iguape River its walls are 40 centimeters (16 inches) wide and help to preserve the seeds and seedlings On the shelves sit various ipê hardwoods (Handroanthus spp.) goat’s eyes (Ormosia arborea) and a great diversity of other plants I can only identify the seeds of the guapuruvu (Schizolobium parahyba) a fast-growing tree that can grow to 30 meters (100 feet) and stands out for the yellow flowers on its crown “I really enjoy working with this,” Maria Tereza says “It doesn’t matter if tomorrow or the day after I’m not here — with so much forest and in the midst of so many seeds Adan invites us to sit on a bench with a prime view of the Ribeira de Iguape “Our mother says it’s wrong to watch TV while eating pointing to the riverfront panorama unfolding in front of us The “fortress conservation” model is under pressure in East Africa as protected areas become battlegrounds over history and global efforts to halt biodiversity loss Mongabay’s Special Issue goes beyond the region’s world-renowned safaris to examine how rural communities and governments are reckoning with conservation’s colonial origins and trying to forge a path forward […] Ribeira Brava will be the stage for the 2nd International Walking Football Tournament The event will feature the participation of 19 teams from Madeira bringing together a total of 210 senior students who celebrate sport This tournament will also be the 9th stage of the WFP National Walking Football Circuit which brings together more than 100 teams and 1,500 athletes from across the country This meeting is a joint initiative of the Senior Universities Network (RUTIS) and the Walking Football Portugal Association (WFP) Walking Football is an adapted version of traditional football with rules that eliminate physical contact and prohibit running the event also promotes social interaction well-being and exchange among participants reinforcing the role of Senior Universities and local authorities in encouraging an active and healthy life in senior age The tournament will take place in the morning at the Ribeira Brava municipal stadium From Jornal Madeira The 30-year-old tourist who was injured this afternoon while canyoning at the Ribeira Funda waterfall but it was later confirmed that the foreigner did not fall but was hit by a rock that came loose when she was halfway down the waterfall The victim has injuries to the pelvis area the Volunteer Firefighters of São Vicente and Porto Moniz and 13 members of the Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters mountain rescue team are on site The Rapid Intervention Medical Team (EMIR) is also on site From Diário Notícias The region offers a unique experience amidst the lush Atlantic Forest Located in the Ribeira Valley Iporanga has earned the title of “Cave Capital” for its impressive natural beauty amidst its geographical formations The region is recognized by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage Site This shows the extent of the area’s environmental and ecological importance There, visitors can visit 13 beautiful caves and many waterfalls, go on adventures in the middle of nature practise extreme sports and discover the culture of the local communities in the region Iporanga offers a range of attractions for those looking to get away from it all it’s an amazing tour and well worth doing If you’ve already been charmed by the small country town and its natural beauty Although tourism moves through the region all year round the best time to visit the caves and waterfalls is between April and November when the weather is milder and the trip is more pleasant So if you’ve always dreamed of visiting this tourist spot you’ll find traditional and quilombola communities as a cultural tourism option in the town of 4,200 inhabitants Iporanga is about 300 km from the capital The best way to get to this beautiful destination is to take the Régis Bittencourt highway (BR-116) to exit 475 We therefore recommend that you plan at least two days to enjoy the attractions LUIZ SUGIMOTO The socioeconomic impact will also be great The social liability foreseen in the EIA/Rima is 689 affected families but the coordinator argues that many have already sold their properties in all the years in which the dam was considered “Another aspect not considered is investments in public policies a health center or pave a street if that community is going to be flooded?” these plants generate around 270.000 kilowatts energy that goes through transmission lines to the CBA foundry in the city called Alumínio the plants in Vale do Ribeira are enough to supply a smelter with 90 thousand tons of aluminum per year CBA needs to capture most of the energy it consumes from other sources” that the company has inventoried a total of 25 plants in the Ribeira basin Top São Pedro in Ribeira Brava started off with a bang with the night of popular marches bringing together a real crowd throughout the town centre marking one of the highlights of this great festival A tradition that continues to attract people from all over the island and also tourists to see the props and choreographies of groups and associations that bring the São Pedro marches to life The tradition began in the early afternoon with the traditional pilgrimage of offerings to Saint Peter through the typical charola from the Fajã da Ribeira site and the boat coming from Pomar da Rocha and around 617 participants of various ages who have been preparing for this day for over a month the Concertina and Accordion Group of the People’s House of Ribeira Brava the São Bento Home and the Senior University participated the People’s House of Fajã da Ovelha the People’s House of São Martinho and the March of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were present The party continues today and all through the night From Diário Notícias is a local farmer and mother of 4 children she is lookig forward to the rehabilation of the Ribeira dos Picos road which will connect her to markets to sell her products 2021 – As we travel along the banks of the Ribeira dos Picos river it is impossible not to be struck by the green valley that stands out before the aridity of the landscape in the rest of the region Considered one of the largest agricultural streams of the country the emblematic Ribeira dos Picos is the primary source of income for most of the 6,500 inhabitants who live in the valley The valley is located in the municipality of Santa Cruz this area became one of the largest producers and exporters of agricultural products and the country’s headquarter of the largest agro-food complex and agriculture are still the main income-generating activities of the population the road network has been vulnerable and expensive to maintain because of the geography (steep slopes) geology (unstable and crumbly terrain conducive to landslides) potentially explained by climate change and likely to become more and more common) most of these roads were designed decades ago for much lower traffic volumes than those of today many need to be re-engineered if not reconstructed is a young local farmer who has lived in Ribeira dos Picos for 20 years Despite its beauty and favorable conditions for agriculture people from Ribeira dos Picos lived a real drama for several years due to a lack of access to connect them to markets to sell their products and essential services to the point of isolating the localities along the water’s course and impeding both the flow of agricultural produce and the mobility of the population,” explains Gualdino Tavares a 52-year-old farmer with 40 years of experience we came to the point of having to pay 300 escudos (roughly $3) for each 30 kg container With two or three tons of products to deliver it was very expensive to pay this amount to carry all that quantity of products In conclusion: we were often left with unsold goods and faced huge losses.” He also recalls more tragic and complicated moments when they could not help the sick or conduct funerals the past of isolation and detachment is being transformed into hope for development.  a 52-year-old local farmer in the area of Ribeira dos Picos In a region where agriculture is one of the sectors that offer the most job opportunities one of the priorities of the economic agenda of the Municipality “is the unblocking of all streams of Santa Cruz in order to enhance and boost the economic activity promote job creation and improve the quality of life of its population” The region’s transformation towards development is happening as the Ribeira dos Picos road paving and upgrading works advance bringing great expectations to the farmers in the valley These are the winds of change that bring prospects for greater prosperity to the region's residents The Transport Sector Reform Project funded by the World Bank, through the International Development Association (IDA) for $46 million has a component for road improvement and maintenance among other works across the islands of Santiago the paving and upgrading of the Ribeira dos Picos road The road renovation should be completed by early 2022 which used to be a dirt track prone to flooding an infrastructure that will bring the residents out of isolation.   “Roads contribute to development,” explains Eneida Fernandes “By connecting people to the rest of Santiago Island the new rehabilitation of the Ribeira dos Picos road will not only support the economic transformation of the valley but also strengthen social cohesion.” Paving and upgrading work at Ribeira dos Picos road is advancing  STAY CURRENT WITH OUR LATEST DATA & INSIGHTS Scope Stanford University School of Medicine blog when interviewing those who work or study at Stanford Medicine stumped at how they manage to do all they do I had one of those moments when I was talking with Ryan Ribeira a clinical instructor of emergency medicine And a board member for the American Medical Association I grew up in the East Bay and went to UC Davis for med school We have three kids so having family support especially when I was going through residency I was originally a computer science major and then switched to business management because I like working with large systems and with people the thought of spending my career just trying to help some large corporation make money wasn't appealing so it just didn't occur to me until I had explored my options I'm an administrative fellow and getting structured training about becoming a medical director someone who oversees medical department staffing and operations I'm currently working on a project to improve patient experience and patient satisfaction I also got a little seed grant to build an app for Stanford to give the emergency department a way to look up the policies for each specialty that govern where a patient should be admitted which makes virtual reality medical simulation software I'm on the Board of Trustees for the AMA -- they have one seat for a resident or fellow the easiest one to answer that question for I'm the only emergency medicine physician and the only resident or fellow so I have a lot of opportunities to represent those unique perspectives I want to make sure the health care system of tomorrow is one that is well suited to people that are in training today The AMA obviously doesn't get to set laws or regulations It's frustrating to see our recommendations fall on deaf ears politics is not that way and that can be a very frustrating world to operate in I just want to sit down at my computer and make sure that things are working well at the start-up What do your colleagues not know about you which is pretty surprising to people who know me now I read the news to keep up with political events I enjoy trying new foods more than I enjoy delicious foods I've found that after a clinical shift I have a hard time focusing on anything else I slam out a few hours of emails before I go in I will always keep a hand in health care policy through organized medicine and a hand in clinical practice I think I would really enjoy working in an academic environment leveraging technology to improve the efficiency and quality of the care we deliver to patients Stars of Stanford Medicine features standout scholars in the School of Medicine Already a member? Log in Not a member? Sign up Explore our Food Tours → “Ó freguesa hoje temos a bela sardinha!” From afar the fishmonger calls me to see her “beautiful sardine.” It is indeed a thing of beauty especially in the summer when they are at their best – fat and full of flavor but also an incredible array of fresh fish from the waters south and north of Lisbon: cuttlefish horse mackerel and mackerel as well as the prized ocean sea bass Her friendly face is a reminder of how welcoming Mercado da Ribeira has been for generations of sellers and customers Just as stalls are passed down from parents to children The market is the oldest in Lisbon still in operation and also the biggest home to both retail and wholesale markets over the years but the actual building is from 1822; it was designed by the engineer Frederico Ressano Garcia whose vision also shaped Avenida da Liberdade the Campo de Ourique neighborhood and Avenida 24 de Julho along the riverfront The market was partially destroyed by a fire in 1893 the tower at the market’s main entrance was replaced by a dome with a clock above it Lisboetas used to call it Mesquita do Nabo (“Turnip Mosque”) to define the new architectural feature one the biggest changes occurred: The wholesale market moved from Ribeira to the north of Lisbon and the business from nearby cafés and restaurants slowed down to a trickle However in 2014, the opening of the Time Out Market in the market’s central section brought some new visitors to the fresh produce side It eventually became one of the most crowded tourist spots in the city Most vendors are eager to see their “neighbors” starting operating again though they know it will take a while for tourists to return Mercado da Ribeira never stopped working during the lockdown as it was considered an essential supplier The State of Emergency actually led to an influx of new customers although they disappeared once the lockdown was lifted Moving from the back of the market to the front which used to be a grocery shop but is currently dedicated solely to cheese and some charcuterie The couple has been working at the market for 45 years having inherited the business from Margarida’s grandfather Serra (the soft sheep cheese from Serra da Estrela) is one of their bestsellers and they’re hanging around outside to pass the time “You can see around the neighborhood – it’s so sad right now Other restaurants and tascas have closed for good.” has lost most of its local population due to gentrification – over the years it went from a seedy neighborhood to a tourism and nightlife hotspot Increasing rents and noise in the early morning hours drove many inhabitants away I make my way to the corner where Anabela and Carlos have been selling fresh fruit and vegetables for more than 20 years They also have a wide variety of young trees Anabela’s mother started the tradition – at 15 years old They saw an uptick in business when the lockdown led many people to avoid crowded supermarkets preferring instead to shop at the city’s airy municipal markets most new customers went back to their old ways Not everyone has left, though. “We still have a few restaurants, but they buy much less because they are not as busy as before,” says Lurdes Neves Portuguese and from other countries.” Business was slower during the lockdown and they reduced their opening hours and stock Now the top clams from Ria Formosa and the gooseneck barnacles from Peniche are back in the stainless steel stall And I learn from Lurdes that her daughter Ermelinda is absent because she has gone out to deliver an order to a restaurant – another good sign Deliveries are also an important part of the iconic Rosanamar fish stall who has been selling fish for 38 years in Ribeira – she began working when she was 14 Her stall is decorated with photographs of famous Lisbon chefs visiting lured in by the high quality of her fish and the huge variety she sells “We’re OK but very different from June of last year,” Rosa says she’s hoping that the Time Out side will reopen soon and inject some life back into the market the food hall was in the process of being redesigned – it eventually reopened on July 1 Tables are now spaced apart in accordance with Covid-19 health and safety regulations; there are some screens; the venue closes early at 11 p.m.; and the capacity is closely monitored it’s possible to book tables (with a maximum of eight people per table) it’s quite eerie to see the huge food court where crowds used to wait in line for food and jostle to get a spot to sit down Despite displeasure with the former status quo at the Time Out Market – “it was not sustainable or friendly,” one seller tells me – both shoppers and sellers are now pinning their hopes on it reopening albeit in a “civilized way without the crowds,” the seller adds On the same corridor as the fish sellers but on the opposite side are Carlos and Irene whose normally bustling butcher shop is known for its pork and unusual cuts who have been working at Ribeira for 47 years now They are bereft without their usual clientele though some restaurants are still buying meat for bifanas (the classic pork sandwich) from the shop All they can do is hope for better days ahead I walk past the farm shop for the organic estate Herdade do Freixo do Meio it’s one of the oldest and most important organic farms in the country which has developed a loyal clientele over the years eggs and olive oil as well as their own traditional acorn bread an Argentinan chef living in Lisbon (his restaurants with chef José Avillez while he’s doing his personal food shopping But overall the organic shop has fewer clients due to the pandemic and most regulars only come in to get their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) baskets Before exiting, I check if Manteigaria, the bakery specializing in pastéis de nata (custard tarts), is now open – sadly not yet. But I do notice, at the market’s entrance, the black-and-white photos of the hard-working varinas that used to come to this riverside area every day to buy their stock at the fish auction which they would then sell across the city These roving fishmongers may have disappeared from the urban landscape but the market is still here – hopefully for many years to come loading map - please wait...Map could not be loaded - please enable Javascript!→ more information Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Porto buy a souvenir and make some great memories Ribeira is the most photogenic bit of Porto. Cross the knee-trembling D. Luiz Bridge for an amazing view over Porto’s historic quarter.  ©DRLocal legend Senhor Fernando (‘Náná’) is a master at crafting traditional Douro rabelos boats in miniature It’s a skill that’s been in his family for generations Check him out at the Oficina do Náná.  © João SaramagoA national monument since 1924 the Casa do Infante (House of the Prince) is one of Porto’s oldest buildings associated with Infante Dom Henrique (1394-1460) also known as ‘Prince Henry the Navigator’ It hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions and is home to the municipal historical archive This Franciscan monastery church is one of Port’s most notable. Its rich gilt carving contrasts with the simplicity of its gothic architecture. It is a grand building, designed to inspire awe, so make sure you give yourself enough time here to take it all in. Next door, don’t miss the Casa do Despacho’s fascinating catacombs. ©Marco DuarteLa Paz is a Porto menswear line inspired by the sea, and opened its first store in a former pharmacy in Rua da Reboleira. Pieces bear anchors, stripes and other jaunty maritime motifs. Sr. Pereira, a seller of fishing nets, is the brand’s figurehead.  Don’t be surprised to see local kids in the Ribeira jumping into the river from the lower deck of the Luiz I bridge. As well as being a great way to cool off on hot days, they hope to win a few coins with their daredevil acrobatics. This tradition is so well established that it even features in a number of films. © João SaramagoThis is one of the best spots in Ribeira for a sundowner. It is right by the river, next to the Luíz I bridge, and has good cocktails, frosty buckets of bottled beer and a view that is simply crying out for Instagram.  ©Marco DuarteOtherwise known as the Ascensor da Ribeira (the Ribeira Lift) this Meccano-like contraption whisks you up from the Rua da Lada to Barredo, further uphill in Ribeira, in less than a minute. It’s free and it will give you a whole different perspective of the Luíz I bridge and the Serra do Pilar hill.  © João SaramagoPorto is famous for its fish and seafood but at Rib Beef & Wine meat is definitely the star Confirmed carnivores should beat a bloody path here for tomahawk steak Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! instagramAbout us Contact us