Programme now available.

Time and space in Island territories originate peculiar senses of belonging. In 2016, Portuguese writer, João de Melo wrote “we were born in our island’s perpetual infancy (…) from the top of my childhood, I used to stare at the ocean (…) and it seemed there was no way forward or back”. He noted that the Island spirit revealed itself either in the form of bewilder or punishment, hence witnessing a constant (un) balance between sea and land. In (post) modernism it is essential to discuss ideas about territory, places and non-places (Augé 1994) which largely contribute to the identity (re)construction.

Island cultural and historical imagery is originated from collective memory. By bringing to light these recollections we wish to (re) interpret and promote a wider dialogue based on Religion and Heritage, which are vital to the development of Tourism, an economic keystone in both Portuguese Archipelagos – Madeira and Azores.

Churches, statues and figurines, and rituals have a meaning that surpass faith. By perserving our rich and varied cultural and artistic heritage, we activate memories and preserve identities, hence, displaying multiple meanings. By contemplating new perspectives on sacred objects, we hope to inspire versatile tourism approaches. 

According to Paiva (2000) it is important to “identify the place (national or regional) so as to avoid massification pressure. Cultural shock (Huntington 1996) caused by the contact of various ethnic groups with singular cultural and religious traditions, reveal  a complex mosaic of concepts and perpectives, which although oppossing , lead to rewarding discussions. 

This International meeting will have two sessions. The first, in 2018, on Madeira Island. The second, in 2019, in the Azores. 

Main topics:

Cultural identity and diaspora

Spiritual and religious sites - island cultural and historical imagery

The sacred and the profane: spirituality in celebration and art

Faith , Heritage and Collective Memory

Literary Tourism, travelogues and travelers

Executive Board:

Cláudia Faria

Duarte Nuno Chaves

Graça Alves

Martinho Mendes

Scientific Board:

Alberto Vieira

Ana Nolasco

Duarte Nuno Chaves

Isabel Soares de Albergaria

João Henrique G. Silva

João Paulo Oliveira e Costa

Leonor Sampaio da Silva

Margarida Sá Nogueira Lalanda

Margarida Vaz do Rego Machado

Mariano Gambin

Susana Serpa Silva

Susana Goulart Costa

Organization

CHAM /NOVA FCSH

CEHA

Museu Arte Sacra Funchal