Minante: Creativity and Wood Crafts on the banks of Rio Neiva

On December 3rd, the area of Minante, Rio Neiva, was the scene of an extraordinary event that united the community around self-construction in wood.
PORTILAME and Colectivo Febre joined NICE – Núcleo Intervenção Cultural de Esposende, in the collaborative workshop of Projeto Minante, an initiative promoted by Rio Neiva – Associação Defesa do Ambiente.

The activity, which took place in the afternoon, brought the community together around a common goal, reflecting collaboratively on the place and imagining how we can experience it in a more meaningful way. More than a workshop on wood construction techniques, it was a voyage of discovery, where everyone immersed in the identity and stories of the Minante area.

With the guidance of the Colectivo Febre, more than thirty people had the opportunity to create sculptural prototypes that are now harmoniously integrated into the landscape on the banks of the Rio Neiva.

PORTILAME’s collaboration, in addition to supplying the materials used in the activity, is the start of a partnership with Rio Neiva – Associação Defesa do Ambiente. As early as January 2024, Colectivo Febre will be doing an artistic residency at the PORTILAME factory in Neiva, Viana do Castelo, thus consolidating the link between art, the community and woodworking know-how.

This event wasn’t just a wood-building workshop, it was a significant step in the co-creation of public space, where community, art and nature merged harmoniously. The Projeto Minante will continue to prototype natural and cultural experiences, leaving a lasting impact on the banks of the Rio Neiva.

Projeto Minante is promoted by Rio Neiva – Associação Defesa do Ambiente, in partnership with CITCEM – Centro de Investigação Transdisciplinar Cultura Espaço e Memória – FLUP – Faculdade de Letras U.Porto, the Municipality of Esposende and Viana do Castelo City Council. It has the support of the civil township of São Romão do Neiva and S.P. de Antas, as associated partners. Funded by the – European Institute of Innovation and Technology / European Commission, as part of the New European Bauhaus: beautiful, sustainable, together.