Portugal-UK Exhibition 650:
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance through the Art of Children
Between February 8 and April 16, 2023, at the Alfândega in Porto
A set of artistic works created by children, young people and their families undergoing treatment in hospital of several paediatrics in the country and students from several schools is on display, since this Wednesday, the February 8, at the Alfândega Building in Porto, at the Portugal-UK Exhibition 650: The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance through the Art of Children, an action promoted by the Portugal-UK 650 initiative, by the British Embassy in Portugal and Alfandega do Porto.
The Portugal-UK Exhibition 650: Portugal-UK Exhibition 650: The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance through the Art of Childen, is part of the commemorations of the 650th anniversary of the oldest diplomatic relationship in the world, established between the kings D. Fernando I of Portugal and Edward III of England, and through the exhibition it is possible to appreciate artistic works created by children, young people and their families undergoing hospital treatment at CMIN/Centro Materno Infantil do Norte – Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, by children who use pediatric services in hospitals across the country, by students from CIAD – Integrated Center for Disability Support at Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Porto and by students from schools, namely from the Conservatório de Musica Calouste Gulbenkian of Braga, Stª Bárbara School Group (Gondomar) and EB 2,3 de Nogueira- AESAS (Braga).
The works presented result from the reuse of materials and the exercise of various techniques of artistic expression – drawing, painting, modeling, collage, among others. From the interpretation of works by various artists, historical research, imagination, reinterpretation, creativity and the aesthetic sense of young creators and their families.
Among the many works on display, the Royal Table stands out, an artistic object that recreates the table of the Treaty of the Alliance from the perspective of new artists, the paintings of King Charles II of England and the Queen D. Catarina of Bragança, a carrying case of tea with aromatic herbs, cups of tea that
illustrate the famous tradition of “Five o’click Tea”, fans and drawings of Queen Elizabeth II that celebrated her anniversary and commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee of her reign.
At the opening event of the exhibition, Maria João Rodrigues de Araújo, president of Portugal-UK 650 explained that “the children and all the artists who participated honoured this alliance with a lot of soul that with so much history connects these two nations. And the result is magnificent, with the works on display here being the fruit of a challenge that was launched to the pediatric services and to several schools to participate in the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.
Portugal-UK 650 is an initiative that celebrates the past, looks to the future and intends to continue committed to promoting the values defended in the treaty of “Peace, Friendship and Perpetual Alliance”. We also intend that this example of secular friendship between the two countries serve as an inspiration to younger generations, who are our future and who can contribute to a better world.” “It was a very enriching and rewarding project, because with the launch of this challenge, children and young people involved in the project had the opportunity to learn a little more about its history and the respective cultural heritage, demonstrate innate talent by freely expressing themselves, and acquire new competences through the stimulation of imagination and intellectual development”, concluded Maria João Rodrigues de Araujo.
Chris Sainty, UK Ambassador to Portugal, was also present at the inauguration of the Exhibition Portugal-UK 650: The Luso-British Alliance for Children’s Art, and stated that “It is with great satisfaction that I find myself here today at the Porto Customs Museum to inaugurate this exhibition that praises work on the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance carried out by children. This is another big moment of celebration of the bilateral relations between our two countries that we hope to continue to deepen in the future.”
The exhibition can be visited at the Alfândega Building in Porto until April 16, 2023, from Tuesday to Friday, between 10am and 1pm and 2pm and 6pm. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, between 3 pm and 7 pm. The exhibition will be closed on Mondays, as well as on February 21 (Carnival) and April 9 (Easter). Access is free.
About Portugal-UK 650
Portugal-UK 650 is the initiative responsible for commemorating the 650th anniversary of the Portuguese-British Alliance in Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Awarded with the two highest seals of Portugal and the United Kingdom, the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic and the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Carlos III, the Portugal-UK initiative 650 intends to celebrate and make known the common history, write new chapters of friendship, cooperation and commerce, develop scientific research on the Luso-British Alliance, and promote the values of the founding Treaty of Alliance in today’s world – peace, friendship, truth, faithfulness, constancy, solidarity, sincerity and kindness “… there will henceforth be a true, faithful, constant, mutual and perpetual peace and friendship, union and alliance and league of sincere affection” (Article I, Treaty of the Covenant, London 16 June 1373) – appealing to the responsibility and commitment of each one.
In the long term, Portugal-UK 650 hopes to contribute to a safer and more fraternal society, with greater knowledge of its historical and cultural heritage, more international solidarity and dialogue, cooperation and friendship strengthened between citizens of both countries.
In addition to celebrating the most important dates – the 650th anniversary of the Treaty of Tagilde (July 10, 2022) and of the Treaty of London (June 16, 2023) – the Commemorations encompass a number of other initiatives, in 2022 and 2023, in partnership with more than 150 Portuguese and British institutions, in the field of research, education, culture, trade, cooperation, military and social. To date, around 161 activities have taken place in both countries.The program for the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the Luso-British Alliance can be consulted on the website https://portugaluk650.com, as well as on the initiative’s social networks.
For information on Portugal-UK 650, please contact:
Maria João Quintela | + 351 927 638 943 | mjq@cunhavaz.com