Os Pastores do Triângulo Vicentino: documentário & prova de queijo

A region traditionally linked to agriculture and pastoralism, the municipality of Vila do Bispo and its people continue, even today, to bring together, practise and preserve a body of knowledge and practices associated with the care of fields, both agricultural and rangelands, plants and animals, passed down from generation to generation. These activities have left an indelible mark not only on the natural landscape of the Vila do Bispo region, but also on the community’s socio-cultural heritage, manifested in knowledge and practices relating to nature and its cycles, as well as traditional craft techniques. A cultural heritage that is (still) alive, yet faces new challenges in its development, preservation and intergenerational transmission - a heritage that it is important to understand, safeguard and promote.

The Municipality of Vila do Bispo, through its Museum of Vila do Bispo - Barn of History, is joining in the celebrations for the 2026 International Day of the Intangible Cultural Heritage by organising, on 17 October 2026, the event ‘Os Pastores do Triângulo Vicentino: documentário & prova de queijo/The Shepherds of the Vicentino Triangle: documentary & cheese tasting’, which comprises two parts: the screening of the documentary ‘Os Pastores do Triângulo Vicentino/The Shepherds of the Vicentino Triangle’, by Patrícia Leal and Vera Abreu, produced in 2023 by AVONDE - Cultural Association with the support of the Municipality of Vila do Bispo, which follows the lives of a group of local shepherds who tend herds of cows, sheep and goats, their daily work with the animals and the transhumance, revealing the connections and affinities that unite them and raising awareness of native breeds such as the Algarve goat, the Algarve cow and the Algarve Churra sheep, as well as the difficulties and uncertainties that this activity and its practitioners face on a daily basis; and a tasting of goat’s cheese, produced by a small local family-run artisanal cheese-making business, owned by one of the current representatives of the Intangible Cultural Heritage associated with pastoralism and the production of traditional goat’s cheese in Vila do Bispo.

In 2026, declared by the UN as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists with the aim of highlighting the vital role that rangelands and pastoral communities play in sustainable food production, ecosystem management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, this activity aims to celebrate, promote and raise awareness of the Intangible Cultural Heritage associated with pastoralism and related activities in Vila do Bispo, including its traditional knowledge and practices. It seeks to bring together those involved, the public and the local community, fostering a sense of connection through the sharing and passing on of knowledge and experiences.

Text as provided by the organiser(s).