For all those interested in the history of Faial, the Association for Sustainable Tourism of Faial (ATSF) organizes another series of lectures, tours and debates. This edition of “Faial: Discovering History, Thinking about the Future” highlights Faial’s relationship with the Sea. Lectures on history focus this year on Faial of the 19th and 20th centuries. Discover ore about topics such as submarine cables, aviation and whaling.
Round table debates will be about the blue economy and the port of Horta, the whaling heritage, and traditional cuisine. Further, archaeological excavations currently taking place in Faial are presented. and the ongoing projects for the Horta Museum and the new Trinity House will be other prominent topics.
Full program – “Faial: Discovering History, Thinking about the Future”
18th October – FAIAL IN THE ATLANTIC STRATEGY
Opening Session/ Lecture
Auditorium Horta Public Library BPARJJG – 21h30
Speaker: Ricardo Serrão Santos
For centuries Horta played an important role as an Atlantic entrepôt. If in the past the geographical position and characteristics of the island and the region were essential for Faial to be part of the world’s history of navigation, communications, and aviation. Today new opportunities are arising in a global world where the Azores have a role to play. In this lecture, Ricardo Serrão Santos addresses the new fields in which Faial can assert its relevance and make a contribution to the development of the region and the country.
20 October – WHAT FUTURE DO WE WANT FOR THE HORTA MUSEUM?
Presentation and debate
Manuel de Arriaga House – 6pm
Speaker: José Luís Neto
With two museological poles (the Museum of Horta in the Colégio dos Jesuítas and the Casa Manuel de Arriaga), the Museum of Horta is preparing for a new stage of development with the rehabilitation of Trinity House and the creation of the Submarine Cable Museum. In this session, the Museum’s director, José Luís Neto, will present ongoing projects and his vision for the future. The Association of the Friends of the Museum of Horta will be presented, which intends to be an open door to the participation of the citizens in the construction and valorization of this museum.
October 21st – ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTERVENTION AT ERMIDA DE SANTA BÁRBARA
Public presentation of the results
Angústias Church – 6pm
Speakers: José Luís Neto and Tiago Simões da Silva
In this session the results of the excavation that took place, in July at the Ermida de Santa Bárbara, will be presented.
October 27th – WHALING AND FAIAL: NARRATIVES FOR THE FUTURE
Round-table
Manuel de Arriaga House – 6 pm
Participants: Márcia Dutra, Luís Bicudo, Carla Dâmaso, João Pedro Garcia, Pedro Filipe and Nina Vieira
Moderators: Pedro Garcia and Francisco Ribeiro
What place does whaling have today in the identity and in the cultural and economic dynamic of our society? We will discuss the way we protect, disseminate and integrate into everyday life the heritage and the whaling tradition of the Azores. The action of museums, the rehabilitation of whaling boats and their recreational and sportive use, the tourist activity of ‘whale watching’ and its relation with hunting practices are highlighted themes.
October 28th – PLUTONIC DIALOGUES: CONTEMPORARY LITHOGRAPHY IN FAIAL
Presentation of the artist residency project
Camarupa Gallery – 21h30
Participant: Antonio Régis da Silva
In 2023, the artist Antonio Régis da Silva will spend a month in residence on the island to explore the use of local volcanic rocks in lithographic works that will be presented in Faial, Porto and England. The artist will now go to Faial for a week to begin his research. In this meeting, the artist will present his work and collect ideas and contributions from the public that may enrich the project.
October 31st – TRADITIONAL GASTRONOMY AND TOURISM
Roundtable
Manuel de Arriaga House – 6 PM
Participants: Sérgio Nazaré (Cantina da Praça), Gerson Carreiro (Pátio), Ricardo Moutinho (Varanda da Horta), Isabel Fraga (Doce Delícia) and Vasco Medeiros.
Moderators: Cristina Melo (Local Food Culture) and Vitório Fidalgo
An identity of people and a region, gastronomy gains importance in terms of cultural preservation. Traditions and specificity of each region gain importance when talking about tourism, restaurants, and production. What are the opportunities and difficulties associated with the exploitation of traditional gastronomy in Faial’s restaurants?
November 3rd – BLUE ECONOMY: STRATEGIC AXES FOR FAIAL’S DEVELOPMENT
Round table
Escola do Mar – 6 pm
Participants: Mário Rui Pinho (Regional Director for Maritime Policies), Gui Menezes (Okeanos), Jorge Gonçalves (APEDA), Rui Terra (Portos dos Açores) and Francisco Rosa (CCIH).
Moderators: Pedro Garcia and Pedro Rosa
In Faial, fishing, recreational boating, scientific research and tourism are interconnected. With the Blue Economy agents, we intend to analyze and debate each one of these activities, trying to draw a strategic vision for Faial’s development in its connection with the Sea.
October 24th to 26th – LOCAL HISTORY COURSES
Faial Island History and Heritage Courses: “Faial in the XIX and XX centuries
Auditorium Horta Public Library BPARJJG
Trainer: Tiago Simões da Silva
Group 1 – Tourism professionals (working hours): 14h00-17h00
Duration: 9 hours
Group 2 – General public (working hours): 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Duration: 7,5 hours
Price: general 20€ / ATSF members free
Registration: atsf@atsf.pt
22nd and 23rd October – 10am -GUIDED TOURS
EXHIBITION MAR TENEBROSO + MUSEUM OF HORTA + MUSEUM RESERVES
(José Luís Neto and Carla Devesa Rodrigues)
Meeting point: Museu da Horta
Duration: 2 hours
October 29th – 10 am
November 2nd – 5:30pm
UNDERWATER CABLE GARDEN
(Tiago Simões da Silva)
Meeting point: German Colony Clock Building
Duration: 2 hours
