🇵🇹 Video Workshop

As part of the Active Citizenship Campaign within the Citizenship in Action project, we set off on a creative mission to the small but culturally rich village of Alvito, in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Our goal? To build an augmented reality mural for the local festival Encontros de Alvito—a mural made of portraits that, when viewed through a phone using the Artivive app, come to life with real video interviews of the people depicted.

We gathered a crew of engaged young participants, packed up our cameras and microphones, and hit the road in a camping van. The weather was kind, the team was pumped, and the sense of purpose was strong.

Once in Alvito, we connected with the local community and began collecting stories.

Everyone we approached welcomed us with generosity and curiosity. We interviewed a wide range of people—from Gonçalo Pôla, the creator of the festival, to Benjamin, a music artist, and several small business owners and long-time residents. Some shared their commitment to keeping traditions like Cante Alentejano alive (a UNESCO cultural heritage), while others reflected on their decision to move from hectic city life to the peaceful rhythm of Alvito.

These interviews reveal the identity, resilience, and collaborative spirit of the village. They are testimonies of involvement, belonging, and the many ways people shape their community—often quietly, always meaningfully.

After the energy of the festival, our augmented reality mural found a second home inside the Municipal Library of Alvito. There, we recreated the installation, offering locals and visitors a more intimate and reflective space to explore the stories behind each portrait.

The inauguration of the exhibition was a moment of genuine connection. Many people came to see it, and their reactions to the augmented reality experience—watching the portraits come to life through video—were full of surprise, emotion, and curiosity. It sparked new conversations and appreciation for the village’s shared heritage and the people who carry it forward.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to Gonçalo Pôla, whose trust and openness to the initiative made everything possible. He not only welcomed the idea but also connected us with many of the individuals we had the chance to interview. Without him, this initiative wouldn’t have taken shape the way it did.

A big thanks also to the Municipal Library of Alvito for welcoming this project and giving it a new stage beyond the festival. The exhibition is open to visitors until April 22, 2024 — if you have the chance, drop by and experience it yourself.