Sr. Elidio, age 66.
Location: Janeiro de Cima, next to the watering wheel.
Professional activity: As a boy worked as a wood collector. In his youth migrated to France and became specialized in construction of interior fake roofs. Now retired.
It was the watering wheel of Janeiro de Cima that led us to Sr. Elidio, the initiator of its re-creation. A watering wheel is a giant wooden wheel that transports the water from the river to the fields. In the past there were many of this wheels along the river but now this is the only one and it was built from his memories.
He told us about the wheel- “(…) the most important thing is the singing!”.
Sr. Américo , age 30.
Location: Lavacolhos, in the bombo (traditional drum) workshop under the house of Américo´s grandfather.
Professional activity: Works in the municipality of Fundão as a stone layer.
Américo is one of the bombo players of the Lavacolhos village, following the path of his family, but he has also learned how to make the instrument. He is the youngest craftsman we encountered in the whole region. He learned is craft from his grandfather who still owns a bombo workshop, but due to his grandfather advanced age, Américo is now the one doing most of the tasks. His only complaint is not having enough time to practice to be with is
grandfather.
D. Lucia, age 48.
Location: Figueira, while making bread in the community oven.
Professional activity: House wife …
When we arrived to the village of Figueira D.Lucia was ready to receive us. During our stay we observed that she does not stay still, she moves constantly from one activity to the other. Between her infinite daily tasks she showed us the village in detail and presented us to the residents. With her we learn to make bread and we learned how fresh made goat cheese tastes.
Together with her two sons she open Xisto Shop store in the village, which is the only open activity in the village and therefore the meeting point of its residents every night.
Fernando, age 26.
Location: Figueira, in Fernando´s family vegetable garden.
Professional activity: Studying Informatics and part time managing ADX family shop in Figueira.
After meeting D. Lucia we met her sons: João and Fernando. They are easy to
recognize in the village because they are the only two youngsters around.
Active as the mother they have many plans to develop in the village and much motivation. They want to develop active tourism in Figueira using the farming as an activity and as an exchange of
knowledge.
Fernando is also a stone mason of traditional schist walls and other rebuilding.
Sr. Jose Reis, age 73.
Location: Malhada Velha, in Moinho velho at the gates of Sr. José Reis house.
Professional activity: as a boy he learned from his father the profession of carpenter. Later on he moved to South Africa where he worked for 30 years in the
construction business. Now shepherd.
When we came across the site Moinho Velho we saw a “patchwork” house and a men that kindly open is house and share with us his life story. All his life José Reis found treasures that kept him busy in what people don’t want any more. From South Africa he brought 2 containers full of materials, mostly windows and door that he used to build. He has plans for everything in his land – “(…) everyday I make something, and I will do so till I can. This is my life.” he says.
Sr. Sebastião, age 77.
Location: Martim Branco, in the fields over the ruins of an old open air clay oven. Last time Sr. Sebastião was there he was 7 years old.
Professional activity: Worked all is life in the Portuguese water company. Simultaneously developed a political career. Now retired.
When we arrived to Martin Branco Sr. Sebastião was waiting for us with the key of the local cultural house. He told us many stories and took us to visit few places. Along the way he spoke about local issues like the lack of mobility and food supply, but about global matters on which he likes to think- “(…) we all live from the land but no one wants to farm it. And then we want all food to be available and cheap.
No comments:
Post a Comment