Nova Vida: Filipa e Luís, Odemira

(Filipa) "Luís always had the dream of going to live in the countryside, but the project didn't start like that. It started after the birth of our last child, Joaquim. We were going to do the five months (of maternity license) here in Santa Clara and we found out that a property was for sale. So we had the opportunity to buy the house where we currently live, thinking about changing our lives in the countryside, an opportunity for our kids to have a different childhood."

2 — What was the goal that gave wings to this project?

(Luís) "That our children can grow up in the countryside during their youth. It had to be at a certain time, not too late because in pre-adolescence they no longer want to go and live in the countryside. .. It's more difficult, they already have stronger relationships where they live. We wanted them to grow up with us here, to have a better childhood. Basically, the people who live in the city are all on top of each other, there is no room for anything Energy must be organized in the middle of the madness: get up early, prepare the children for each school: kindergarten, primary... find a place to parking every time... when you get to work half your energy is already spent. You're breathing deeply but you still have all the stress of the work ahead. It's constant pressure. It doesn't make sense that people all live together, people need to give themselves space, to give themselves the ability to stop and breathe, to understand that the nature around us is a privilege. Because here, there is less haste, there is a lot more mutual listening and that is important for us. It's living as close as possible to human beings and giving our children a space so that they grow up remaining children. It was all our goal."

(Luís) "Cities are always very similar: Lisbon, Leiria, Coimbra... it's pretty much the same, depending on what you do for a living. So how do you define the Portuguese way of life? To sum up, We are a poor country, badly managed, very focused on consumption but we have only one positive point: the hospitality. We like to live together, our houses are open to everyone. In general, the Portuguese invite people at home, you can always count on them to put an extra dish on the table. They are very hospitable, even more hospitable to strangers than those around them, you might say. On the other hand, our Portuguese culture is very stingy, always comparing ourselves to our neighbours. We don't open up much, but are very welcoming, we like to share with each other. Here in the countryside, there is a lot of mutual aid. In agriculture, we help and we share. In the countryside, the Portuguese way of life is more communal, more authentic, less egocentric. In the city, inside the buildings, people live with the door closed. Here in the countryside, people live with the door open, so to speak. More available to talk, not too rushed, people have more time for each other."

(Filipa) "In our tourism project we want to make more huts, all different from each other to give people different perspectives of what it's like to see nature. Also we want to create conditions for our children to be closer to us, to be enthusiastic about this life. Deep down it has to do with giving more quality to the people who visit us, making our space more charming, and making our children grow up feeling the magic of this green dimension."

(Luís) "Luz Editions values ​​traditions and what Portuguese culture have developed. We think it would be the linen tea towels. Linen is very Portuguese, there has always been cultured; both seeds and fibers, the textile industry which has always been very strong with a lot of quality; also ceramics, wood… so yes, it would be the tea towels. They are a fantastic thing... to associate the photography of such an interesting and profound photographer, the traditions, the Portuguese culture, the way of life, fishing in the countryside, in the background images linked to the four seasons of the year, at the time of harvesting, planting, sowing, people all together, the snacks... yes, the towels, without a doubt."