Using art as a vehicle to change behavior. This is the main objective of the national project “Don't Play with Fire” that there will be two initiatives in São Brás de Alportel. «We hope it will be a success, because projects like these are good for our cultural fabric», says Adriana Freire Nogueira, regional director of Culture in the Algarve.
The main pillar of the initiative is, then, to educate through art. In other words: through culture, raising awareness of the need to take care of forests and have responsible behavior.
The project is from AGIF – Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires, but the Regional Directorates of Culture (DRC) of the North, Centre, Algarve and Alentejo will be its operators for a year.
Ao Sul Informação, Adriana Nogueira began by explaining that, initially, the Algarve and Alentejo were not even «to be included».
“Fortunately, we ended up being one. This is a pilot project and we'll see how it works this year. AGIF is aware of and has been closely following similar activities that have taken place in Spain, wanting to replicate them in Portugal,” he said.
The objective is such a change in behavior: «this is the basic principle», summarizes the regional director of Culture of the Algarve.
“We have realized that most fires are of human origin and, therefore, people's behavior is important. If we change behavior, if we take care of the territory, the risk is more conditioned”, he added.
The lines of thought are well drawn and now it remains to "pass the message through culture". To this end, there will be two initiatives, both taking place in São Brás de Alportel – a training action and a street show.
The training action, explained Adriana Nogueira, will involve "initiatives with people."
«It will not be a lecture, but always an artistic activity, in which people will also be invited to bring their stories, their own practice. Here in the Algarve, there is the issue of having an aging population, in the interior, but there are also foreigners and the idea is that there is communication between people», he added.
As for the scheduled show, it will be outdoors, also due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Associations from all over the Algarve can compete for this project and, according to Adriana Nogueira, «we have already had some contacts».
“We hope it's a success – if this year goes well, next year it could happen in even more municipalities. This is good for our cultural fabric and the truth is that there are even people who have already made shows on this theme, because the Algarve, unfortunately, has suffered from this scourge of fires», says Adriana Nogueira.
AGIF's investment is 185 thousand euros, with around 21 thousand destined for the Algarve. Applications can be made until July 14th and outdoor shows will be presented in September and October.
Notices of actions, as well as the respective application forms, in the case of the Algarve, can be consulted here
Help us to do the Sul Informação!
Contribute your donation so that we can continue to make your journal!
Click here to support us (Paypal)
Or use our IBAN PT50 0018 0003 38929600020 44
Comments