The final stage of the artistic and cultural programme for the Route of the Romanesque , “Heritage Caretakers – Courage to Care”, kicked off on 16 April at Castle of Arnoia in Celorico de Basto with the symbolic “Time Capsule” handover ceremony.

This box was placed in the interpretive centre of that National Monument, containing a creative message for future generations written by pupils from the Secondary School of Celorico de Basto, as a testament to care, memory and commitment to the future.

The “Heritage Carers – Courage to Care” programme forms part of the second edition of the Culture and Education Biennial, under the National Arts Plan, under the overarching theme “And Instead of Fear?”.

The project, promoted by the Route of the Romanesque, aimed to challenge young people to explore emotions, imagination and collective memory, fostering a connection with heritage and new ways of engaging with culture and the local area.

It began on 14 January at the Interpretation Centre of Romanesque in Lousada, attended by students, teachers, heritage custodians, parish priests, local councillors and the local community.

Twelve secondary school classes took part in the project, one from each municipality along the Route of the Romanesque.

Pupils and teachers had the opportunity to visit one of the local Romanesque monuments, (re)discovering its architecture, history and heritage, with the support of the Route of the Romanesque’s Interpreters and Heritage Carers, in fruitful intergenerational encounters.

The upcoming Time Capsule handover ceremonies are scheduled as follows:

– Monday 27 April, 10.00 am, Monastery of Cárquere, Resende;
– Thursday 30 April, 9.00 am, Monastery of Ferreira, Paços de Ferreira;
– Thursday 30 April, 2.30 pm, Church of Tarouquela, Cinfães;
– Friday 08 May, 10.30 am, Memorial of Sobrado, Castelo de Paiva;
– Tuesday 12 May, 2.30 pm, Monastery of Travanca, Amarante;
– Tuesday 19 May, 6.00 pm, Church of Boelhe, Penafiel;
– Wednesday 27 May, 10.00 am, Chapel of Fandinhães, Marco de Canaveses.