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Description
Malacate addressed the socio-economic and environmental decline of Mina de São Domingos, a historically significant mining site that faced depopulation, cultural loss, and environmental degradation following its closure. The project aimed to revitalise the area by reconnecting the community with their cultural heritage through contemporary art and active participation. To tackle these challenges, the project implemented multidisciplinary artistic activities, including outdoor performances, workshops, guided tours, and installations, which reoccupied abandoned spaces with new cultural meanings. Local residents were central to these efforts, acting as co-creators and performers, ensuring their direct involvement in the revitalisation process.
Key outputs of the project included the establishment of the Malacate Council to sustain participatory curatorial processes and the publication "LUGAR," documenting the project’s journey. International collaboration, particularly with Norwegian partners, enriched the initiative through cultural exchange and shared expertise in heritage management. The project transformed Mina de São Domingos into a vibrant open-air museum, enhancing its appeal to residents and visitors alike.
The project planned to achieve long-term cultural and social regeneration, promoting community pride and ownership while positioning the site as a significant cultural destination. Local residents, artists, and cultural institutions were expected to benefit through improved quality of life, strengthened cultural identity, and new opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, the project’s success serves as a model for similar post-industrial communities, demonstrating the power of art and community engagement in driving sustainable revitalisation.
Summary of project results
Malacate project was initiated to address a series of interconnected challenges facing Mina de São Domingos, a former mining site of historical significance that had fallen into decline following its closure. The primary issues revolved around socio-economic deterioration, cultural erosion, and environmental degradation, which collectively contributed to the area’s stagnation.
One of the most pressing challenges was the depopulation of the region, as the closure of the mine led to a loss of livelihoods and a subsequent exodus of residents. This demographic decline left the community fragmented, with dwindling opportunities for social cohesion and economic revitalisation. The exodus also resulted in a loss of cultural continuity, as younger generations moved away, weakening the transmission of local traditions, stories, and collective memory tied to the mining heritage.
Environmental degradation was another critical issue, as abandoned industrial spaces and infrastructure fell into disrepair, creating blighted landscapes that deterred investment and tourism. The site’s historical and ecological value was at risk of being forgotten or irreparably damaged without intervention. Additionally, the lack of contemporary cultural activities or creative engagement further marginalised the area, leaving it disconnected from broader artistic and economic networks.
The project sought to tackle these challenges by leveraging art and community participation as tools for regeneration. By reactivating abandoned spaces through multidisciplinary artistic performances, workshops, and installations, the project aimed to reinvigorate the site’s cultural and social fabric. Local residents were engaged as active participants—co-creators and performers—ensuring that the revitalisation process was rooted in their perspectives and needs. This approach not only restored a sense of pride and ownership but also reconnected the community with its industrial past in a meaningful, forward-looking way.
Furthermore, the project addressed the need for sustainable cultural infrastructure by establishing the Malacate Council, a body designed to perpetuate participatory curatorial practices beyond the funding period. The publication "LUGAR" served as a tangible record of the project’s journey, preserving its legacy and providing a blueprint for similar initiatives. International collaboration, particularly with Norwegian partners, enriched the project by introducing comparative insights from Røros, a UNESCO-recognised mining town, thereby broadening the scope of cultural exchange and innovation.
In summary, the Malacate project aimed to counteract the socio-economic decline, cultural loss, and environmental neglect plaguing Mina de São Domingos by fostering artistic revitalisation, community empowerment, and sustainable cultural practices. Its holistic approach sought to transform the site into a dynamic cultural hub, ensuring its relevance for future generations while offering a replicable model for post-industrial regeneration elsewhere.
Malacate implemented a series of multidisciplinary artistic and community-based activities to revitalise the abandoned mining site of Mina de São Domingos, reconnecting its residents with their cultural heritage while transforming the area into a vibrant cultural destination. The project, which ran from September 2021 to April 2024, focused on engaging the local community as active participants in the creative process, ensuring their ownership and involvement in shaping the site’s new identity.
A key component of the project was the organisation of outdoor arts performances that merged contemporary artistic expression with the industrial history of the mine. These performances took place in previously disused spaces, reinvigorating them with new cultural significance. Artistic workshops were conducted, allowing residents to collaborate with professional artists in co-creating installations, murals, and other works that reflected the site’s heritage. These workshops not only fostered creativity but also strengthened communal bonds and pride in local history.
Guided tours were another important activity, designed to educate both residents and visitors about the mining legacy while showcasing the newly integrated artistic interventions. These tours helped reposition Mina de São Domingos as an open-air museum, blending its industrial past with modern cultural narratives. The project also featured long-term art installations, including contributions from Norwegian artist Lise Wulff, whose work encouraged community participation and introduced fresh perspectives on heritage and place-making.
One of the project’s major outputs was the establishment of the Malacate Council, a governance body tasked with sustaining the participatory curatorial processes initiated during the project. This council ensures that the local community remains central to future cultural initiatives, securing long-term engagement beyond the funding period. Additionally, the project produced the publication "LUGAR," which documents its journey, methodologies, and outcomes, serving as both a legacy and a resource for similar revitalisation efforts elsewhere.
International collaboration played a significant role in enriching the project’s impact. Partnerships with Norwegian entities, such as Røros Kommune and artists like Lise Wulff and Pobel, facilitated knowledge exchange on heritage management and post-industrial regeneration. These collaborations not only enhanced the artistic quality of the project but also created lasting networks between Portuguese and Norwegian cultural institutions, paving the way for future joint initiatives.
Through these activities and outputs, the Malacate project successfully transformed Mina de São Domingos into a dynamic cultural space, bridging its industrial past with a creative future. It empowered the local community, improved the area’s appeal to visitors, and established a sustainable framework for ongoing cultural development. The project’s success demonstrates the potential of art and community collaboration to drive meaningful social and economic regeneration in post-industrial regions.
Malacate achieved significant outcomes that revitalised Mina de São Domingos, benefiting the local community, artists, cultural institutions, and visitors while establishing a sustainable model for post-industrial regeneration.
For the local community, the project successfully rekindled a sense of pride and ownership in their cultural heritage. By involving residents as co-creators and performers in artistic activities, it strengthened social cohesion and reconnected them with the mining site’s history. The establishment of the Malacate Council ensured their continued participation in cultural decision-making, empowering them to shape the area’s future. The project also improved the quality of life by transforming derelict spaces into vibrant cultural venues, fostering a renewed sense of identity and belonging.
Artists and cultural practitioners gained a platform for creative expression and international collaboration. The involvement of Norwegian partners, such as Røros Kommune and artists like Lise Wulff and Pobel, enriched the project through cross-cultural exchange and innovative artistic approaches. These collaborations not only elevated the artistic output but also expanded professional networks, creating opportunities for future partnerships. The publication "LUGAR" documented these creative processes, serving as a valuable resource for artists and researchers interested in community-engaged art and heritage revitalisation.
The project demonstrated the potential of art-led regeneration in post-industrial areas. By repositioning Mina de São Domingos as an open-air museum, it increased the site’s cultural and touristic appeal. The project’s methodology—combining participatory art, heritage preservation, and international cooperation—offered a replicable framework for similar initiatives elsewhere. The bilateral engagement with Norwegian partners also enhanced institutional knowledge in heritage management, leaving a legacy of best practices for future projects.
Visitors and the broader public benefited from enriched cultural experiences, as the project made the mining site more accessible and engaging through guided tours, performances, and installations. The revitalised space became a destination for those interested in industrial history, contemporary art, and community-driven transformation, boosting local tourism and raising awareness of the site’s historical significance.
On a broader scale, the project’s impacts extended beyond its immediate timeframe. The Malacate Council and the networks formed during the project ensure its sustainability, while its success story inspires similar revitalisation efforts in other declining industrial regions. By bridging the past with creative futures, the project not only preserved cultural heritage but also catalysed social and economic renewal, proving the transformative power of art and community collaboration.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral partnership with Norwegian entities, including Røros Kommune and artists like Lise Wulff and Pobel, significantly enriched the Malacate project by promoting cross-cultural exchange and expertise-sharing. Røros, a UNESCO-listed mining town, provided valuable insights into heritage management and community-led revitalisation, which were adapted to the context of Mina de São Domingos. Norwegian artists introduced innovative artistic approaches, such as Lise Wulff’s participatory installations, which deepened local engagement and expanded the project’s creative scope. This collaboration also enhanced the project’s visibility and credibility, attracting broader stakeholder interest.At a bilateral level, the partnership yielded shared outcomes, including improved knowledge of post-industrial heritage preservation and the development of new cultural practices. It strengthened networks between Portuguese and Norwegian cultural institutions, paving the way for future collaborations. While no formal agreement is currently in place, both sides expressed interest in maintaining contact and exploring further joint initiatives, reflecting the partnership’s lasting value. The donor partner’s involvement thus not only elevated the project’s impact but also laid foundations for ongoing international cooperation in cultural regeneration.