In Algarve and Alentejo, there is much more to discover beyond the heat, sun and beach, there are monuments with interesting stories and traditions that continue in our days. Joint Issue Portugal – Marocco Castle of Silves «Popular Portuguese and Moroccan traditions have one very interesting r«thing in common, one that can never be emphasized enough: the “stone memory” of ancient buildings of unknown or unclear origins. […] […] The red castle in Silves, a city described by Muslim authors as one of Alandalus’ most prestigious cultural capitals, was built on the site of the fortification walls surrounding the magnificent Xarajib Palace […].» (read more)

published August 8th, 2014

By official decision of the UN, the year 2014 was declared the International Year of Crystallography. This ephemeris is jointly organized by the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) and UNESCO and aims to create a link between two other initiatives of this sort: the International Year of Chemistry, held in 2011, and the International Year of Light, which will be celebrated in 2015. As such, these three worldwide celebrations fall into the strategic guidelines of the International Program of Fundamental Sciences of UNESCO, in collaboration with other scientific programs of the Organization, (read more)

published August 4th, 2014

Since the Muslim occupation of Ialbax by king Sancho II in 1230 and until its was promoted to city in 1513, the development of Elvas was solid, favoured for its relevant geographical position which over the centuries gave it an outstanding military preponderance, reflected in the construction of fortification lines and military buildings. In the second half of the fourteenth century, another fortification was added to the two Muslim walls, with 11 gates and 22 towers, which became forever represented in the drawings of Duarte de Armas. (read more)

published July 28th, 2014

The practitioners of extreme sports are not afraid of dying. They are afraid of not living. By pushing limits and confronting dangers they feel reborn. Risks are taken for a variety of reasons: to get away from stress or one’s routine, a taste for adventure, fascination with nature. “Adrenalin addiction” explains the rest. Whatever the reason, extreme sports continue to gain more and more fans. Balancing on giant waves, cycling through difficult terrain, or whirling on the asphalt: surfing, mountain biking and skating are the sports that inaugurate this definitive issue dedicated to Extreme Sports. (read more)

published July 25th, 2014

Landscape Architecture is a very subtle art with a very elaborate technique, based on a wide range of sciences. One can maybe explain this relationship between Art, Science and Technique, if compared to listening to a Beethoven sonata live. In the sonata, the art is in the artistic interpretation of the song, the piano is the technique, and the mechanism of the piano is the result of a construction that involves much scientific knowledge. [...] Landscape Architecture is the art of designing the environment where man lives. (read more)

published July 23rd, 2014

It was on December 18th, 1921, that the National Football Team held its first official match. It was against Spain and took place in Madrid. We lost 3-1, but the result was considered by the Portuguese media as being “very honourable”. That historic National Team included big names such as Cândido de Oliveira, Jorge Vieira and Ribeiro dos Reis. For the Spanish team, the main figure was the great Ricardo Zamora, (read more)

published July 16th, 2014

The first known interactions between the Portuguese and the Mexicans occurred between 1519 and 1521, during the period in which Fernando Cortês may have settled in the land of the Aztecs. Diplomatic relations between Portugal and Mexico began a few centuries later, when in 1864 Francisco Facio, Ambassador of Mexico residing in Madrid, presented his credentials in Lisbon. The reciprocal act occurred on July 19, 1865, by the Viscount of Sotto Mayor, then Resident Minister in Denmark. (read more)

published July 6th, 2014

At all latitudes, more or less proficient musicians give off melodies and sounds from musical instruments which, besides bringing beauty and joy to our lives, are an identifier of peoples and regions.

Throughout time, woodwind, string and percussion instruments have accompanied songs and dances, summoned to banish tiredness after long periods of work or to celebrate festivities of secular or religious inspiration. (read more)

published July 4th, 2014

At all latitudes, more or less proficient musicians give off melodies and sounds from musical instruments which, besides bringing beauty and joy to our lives, are an identifier of peoples and regions.

Throughout time, woodwind, string and percussion instruments have accompanied songs and dances, summoned to banish tiredness after long periods of work or to celebrate festivities of secular or religious inspiration. (read more)

published July 1st, 2014

Celebrating the Portuguese language in its most diverse aspects and geographic presence constitutes the primary objective of the Commemorations of the 8 Centuries of the Portuguese Language which will be held between 5 May 2014 and 10 June 2015.
The Portuguese language emerged from the Latin spoken in the north west of the Iberian Peninsula around the sixth century, at this time still scarcely differentiated from Galician, having expanded in the peninsular west towards the south. (read more)

published June 18th, 2014

His debut with the red sweater was on May 23rd, 1961, still in the reserves, against Atlético CP. Shortly after, on June 1st, he debuted in the first team, in a match for the Cup of Portugal, against Vitória de Setúbal. That same year he played his first match for the national team, on October 8th, against the team from Luxembourg. Eusébio spent fifteen seasons with Benfica, between 1960/61 and 1974/75, where he played 614 matches and scored 638 goals, being the highest scorer in the club. He was a Portuguese international player for over a decade, playing 64 games and scoring 41 goals, and helped the national team achieve third place in the World Championship in 1966, being the top scorer of the championship. (read more)

published June 3rd, 2014