Campilhas Internacional

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify">Campilhas Internacional addressed the cultural isolation and limited artistic opportunities in a rural region with an ageing, dispersed population. Designed to combat social exclusion, it specifically targeted vulnerable groups including isolated children and elderly residents through innovative cultural programming. By creating sustainable arts engagement, the project enhanced community cohesion and quality of life while addressing the area's cultural deprivation.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The project employed diverse methodologies to ensure broad participation. Radio plays featuring original Portuguese and Norwegian scripts reached schools and care homes, while theatre workshops developed local creative skills. Notable productions included intercultural collaborations like "Blood Stories Liechtenstein" and immersive experiences such as children's audiowalks. International artist residencies promoted cultural exchange, with artists from Norway and Liechtenstein creating site-responsive work within the community.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Key achievements include establishing permanent cultural infrastructure at Campo Cultural de Campilhas and forming an enduring amateur theatre collective. The project strengthens European cultural networks through ongoing partnerships with Norwegian organisations BIT Teatergarasjen and Franzisca Aarflot Produksjoner, ensuring continued collaboration beyond the funding period.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Primary beneficiaries experience tangible improvements: children gained regular creative stimulation, seniors enjoyed enhanced social inclusion, and local artists accessed international opportunities. The project's legacy lies in its sustainable model - the cultural hub maintains activities independently, while international partnerships guarantee lasting artistic development.&nbsp;Campilhas Internacional&nbsp;demonstrates how targeted cultural investment can transform underserved communities, creating ripples that extend far beyond initial interventions.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The bilateral partnerships were instrumental in enriching Campilhas Internacional through cross-cultural exchange and shared expertise. Donor project partners from Norway and Liechtenstein contributed specialised artistic knowledge, international perspectives, and creative resources that elevated the project's quality and scope. Norwegian organisations BIT Teatergarasjen and Franzisca Aarflot Produksjoner played pivotal roles by facilitating artist residencies and commissioning original radio plays from Norwegian writers, which became central to the Radioactividade programme. These collaborations introduced fresh narratives and methodologies to local participants while fostering intercultural dialogue. At a bilateral level, the project presented significant artistic outputs, including co-created performances like Blood Stories Liechtenstein, developed through Portuguese-Liechtenstein collaboration. Norwegian playwright Fredrik Brattberg's involvement resulted in new theatrical texts, while residencies by artists such as Thorgerdur Sigurdardóttir (Iceland) produced immersive site-specific works. These partnerships not only enhanced the project's creative offerings but also strengthened institutional ties, with several donor partners expressing interest in future collaborations. The bilateral cooperation is set to continue beyond the project's formal conclusion. Plans include further artistic exchanges, with Norwegian partners already committed to new joint productions. The established relationships have created a framework for ongoing cultural dialogue, ensuring the project's legacy of international collaboration endures and continues to benefit both Portuguese and European artists.

Project partners

• Stiftelsen Bergen Internasjonale Teater Donor project partner· Norway
• RÚV – Ríkisútvarpið Donor project partner· Iceland
• Franzisca Aarflot produksjoner Donor project partner· Norway
• Christiani Wetter Donor project partner· Liechtenstein
• Santiago do Cacém Municipality Project partner· Portugal