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Case studies
n
Aveiro
Biennial International Artistic Ceramics
Topic:
Arts for social cohesion, wellbeing & social innovation / Arts for economic
development / Arts to enhance cities’ image and help them to go global
Country:
Portugal
City context:
Located by the sea in the centre of Portugal, the Municipality of
Aveiro is a middle-sized city counting 78.450 inhabitants
55
. Maritime trade,
shipbuilding, salt production and fishing were traditionally Aveiro’s main activities but
also ceramics and tiles production, which resulted in the city holding today the five
most important ceramic factories in the country.
Well connected to Spain and to the rest of Europe, the city is developing new
economic activities, namely services and technology companies with the attraction
of international firms facilitated through the establishment of the University (1973)
and the improvement of the harbour facilities.This contributes to improve Aveiro’s
position as a strategic point for international trade.
Aveiro’s cultural ecosystem is shaped by several cultural and touristic facilities
(museums, theatre, the traditional
moliceiro
boat used now for touristic purposes),
traditional religious celebrations (
São Gonçalinho Festivities, Saint Joana procession
) and
different artistic and cultural events (
Artes no canal
street market,
Jovem Criador
a
competition for young artists, the Biennial of Artistic Ceramics and the academic
multi-activity week
Semana do enterro
). The Lagoon festival also includes several
sports and cultural events linked to the lagoon’s heritage and traditions.
City’s policy framework:
Cultural heritage and cultural activities are perceived
as key factors to attract visitors and to increase local development. Ceramics in
particular are a cultural, economic and touristic product for Aveiro, with intrinsic and
extrinsic qualities making it able to contribute to innovation and to local development
in the cultural, social and economic spheres.
The city pays special attention to participating in international routes with a cultural
nature (Réseau Art Nouveau) as well as in projects on ceramics innovation
55
2011 National Population Census, INE
