The 2nd Symposium of the OLIVE4ALL project took place in Portugal from October 4th to October 7th 2023 and was completed with great success. The organisational helm was masterfully held by Professor Francisco Dias, member of CITUR and of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria Portugal, who was unwaveringly supported by the Portuguese Olive4ALL partners, namely, Fernanda Oliveira, João de Vasconcelos, Josefina Salvado, Bebiana Monteiro, Eunice Lopes, Nuno Rodrigues, Bruno Sousa and Victor Figueira.
The organisers held in store for the French and Greek partners a rich and intensive programme of invaluable scientific exchanges, in-situ field work and lifetime experiences. This four-day programme gradually developed during an amazing road-trip of no less than 1,200 kilometres (!) from the south, across the centre and to the north of Portugal.
Photo: Maria Kouri
This “great adventure” started at the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar. At the opening ceremony, the President of the Polytechnic Institute Mr. João Freitas Coroado, the Mayor of Tomar Mr. Hugo Cristovão, the Vice-Mayor of Tomar Ms. Filipa Fernandes, the President of the Centre of the Study and Promotion of Alentejo Olive Oil Mr. Gonçalo Morais Tristão, the Coordinator of the OLIVE4ALL project Julie Deramond, Associate Professor at the University of Avignon, and the Chairman of the Symposium Professor Francisco Dias welcomed and addressed the numerous Symposium participants.
Map of the Itinerant 2nd OLIVE4ALL symposium by Maria Kouri
During the Symposium four main scientific topics were explored in relevant sessions: a) olive tourism as a tool for heritage preservation; b) scope and components of the olive oil tourism experience; c) niche tourism products shaping olive tourism; and, d) wine tourism as a framework for olive tourism development. Olive4ALL members presented their work and research findings on these topics, which were produced in the framework of the OLIVE4ALL project. Furthermore, the partners gained new insights and deepened their understanding, by listening to and discussing the experiences, ongoing projects and reflections of numerous local stakeholders, who enriched the Symposium by their presence.
Olive oil museums were, of course, indispensable destinations in this journey to the many facets of the olive heritage. OLIVE4ALL visited the emblematic Museu do Azeite, in Bobadela, Oliveira do Hospital and the Museu da Oliveira e do Azeite, in Mirandela. Through intriguing exhibits and guided tours, Olive4All members discovered more on the development of the olive oil production processes in Portugal from Roman times to this day, but also on the rich ecosystems of the olive groves. A beautiful surprise awaited OLIVE4ALL partners in Azinhaga do Ribatejo, where they visited the Fundação José Saramago, housed in the family home of the Portuguese Nobelist José Saramago. There, they were informed about the “100 Olive Trees of Saramago”, an innovative project linking the land’s olive heritage with its predominance in the literary work and life of the acclaimed writer.
The OLIVE4ALL scientific teams also visited Quintas, namely farming estates, producing olive oils, wines and the renowned Douro region port. In particular, Quinta da Pacheca in Lamego and Casa de Santo Amaro in Suçães extended to the OLIVE4ALL members a warm welcome and guided them through their grounds, work and infrastructure. During these field visits, the partners learned more on the current state of the olive oil production processes, the cultivation and market relations between olive oils and wines / olives and vines, as well as on the development of innovative, year-round tourism activities, which can support the sustainable farming of vineyards and olive groves. Moreover, enticing olive oil and wine tasting experiences, guided by recognised professionals in the field, introduced the OLIVE4ALL teams to the subtle differences and individual characteristics of olive oils and wines. A visit to the SIFAMECA factory (Sociedade Industrial de Fabricação de Seiras e Capachos) in Abrantes also highlighted the various types, qualities and work required to produce the traditional mats still used in olive presses.
This wonderful adventure concluded with a visit to the nature preserve of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and to the acclaimed Parque Arqueológico do Vale do Côa. Côa Valley’s prehistoric rock art sites are included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1998 and OLIVE4ALL members were fortunate enough to be guided to the museum’s unique exhibits, which were ingeniously mediated through digital technologies. Observing the Côa Valley and its natural landscape -today enriched with olive groves- it was easy to understand the central role that the natural environment played in the gradual establishment of the human race in this locality.
An extra “bonus” for all participants was a visit to the oldest olive tree of Portugal, of 3,350 years, the Oliveira do Muchão in Mouriscas, but also the tasting of the olive oil and the fruit of a centennial olive. Such experiences make one feel humbled in front of this invaluable tree, which is a common, everyday element of the Mediterranean landscape and life, but still never ceases to amaze with its resilience, longevity and timeless beauty. Quite fittingly, the partners’ general project meeting took place outdoors, in the lovingly tended olive yard of Casa de Santo Amaro, inspiring the partners to carry on diligently on their next steps towards the fruition of the OLIVE4ALL project.
Oliveira do Muchão in Mouriscas. Photo: Maria Kouri
Participants of the 2nd OLIVE4ALL Symposium returned home full of new ideas, insights, tastes and experiences. Indeed, the project’s partners from France and Greece, as well as “outsider”, but most welcome, participants, such as Professor Joachim Willms of the Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, had the opportunity to enjoy rewarding scientific exchanges, but also the Portuguese heartfelt hospitality and the olive-oil cuisine at its very best!
Sincere gratitude is owed to Professor Francisco Dias, the proverbial “locomotive” behind this wonderful Symposium, and to all of those -whether in front or behind the scenes- who made this event greatly successful and memorable, setting very high standards for OLIVE4ALL events to come!
Here is a short report on the symposium :
Maria Kouri
Assistant Professor at the University of the Peloponnese
Partner of OLIVE4ALL
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Maria Kouri (October 30, 2023). An amazing journey! The 2nd international Symposium of OLIVE4ALL, Portugal 4-7 October 2023. OLIVE4ALL. Retrieved May 7, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/sioe