“Mother Stone”: A Workshop to Listen to the Land Through Memories
On September 3, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Espaço + Gallery in Aljezur will host the writing and reading workshop “Pedra-Mãe,” part of the “Arte Dentro” initiative promoted by the Municipality of Aljezur. The workshop invites participants to explore, through writing and sharing, the relationship between memory, territory, and identity, using stone as a starting point and a meeting place.
Drawing on images from the film *À Procura da Melodia*, the workshop offers an exercise in actively listening to memories and stories—both individual and collective. Participants will be invited to write about the places they inhabit, traverse, and recognize as their own, reflecting on how these spaces are woven into their stories and, at the same time, become part of the memory of those very places.
The stone—an element deeply connected to the landscape of Aljezur and the cliffs that line the coast—serves as both a metaphor and the material foundation of this experience: a presence that endures, bears marks and stories, and, over time, transforms itself and those who inhabit and observe it.
“Pedra-Mãe” is based on the idea that memories can find ways to endure beyond those who experienced them. Through words, images, sounds, and silences, the workshop aims to create a space for connection where every story can be told, heard, and returned to the community.
The work developed throughout the session will also give rise to a collective fanzine, compiled from the materials produced by the participants—texts, drawings, notes, and audio recordings. The publication will later be printed, allowing each participant to take home a copy of this collective record of memories and experiences.
Participation is free, but registration is required by August 26 at cultura@cm-aljezur.pt. The workshop is limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
