O Povo da Montanha, or "The People of The Mountain", is an on-going hommage to the North-east and an attempt to reconnect to my family's roots.
It is an invitation to viewing this region through the eyes of an adult, who holds the memories and impressions of a child as fuel for documentation.
It is an invitation to viewing this region through the eyes of an adult, who holds the memories and impressions of a child as fuel for documentation.
A chicken coop, Lamas, 2024
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A tractor, Lamas, 2024
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My family originates from two humble rural villages, Lamas and Murços, of the district of Bragança, Trás-os-Montes. Despite being one of the economically poorest and least developed regions in Portugal, its culture makes it one of the richest. This region of the North-east is a land of tradition - homemade foods, handmade objects, a strong sense of community, a pride to be Trasmontano, and most importantly, unconditional love for nature.
My parents were brought up as farmers and immigrated to France at a very young age, determined to follow the path of their older siblings in hopes of finding a better future. As a second-generation immigrant growing up in another country, I never felt truly connected to Portugal, though its culture had significantly influenced my whole childhood. To me, this country is a gathering of smells, sights and sounds piled up throughout several summer vacations.
My parents were brought up as farmers and immigrated to France at a very young age, determined to follow the path of their older siblings in hopes of finding a better future. As a second-generation immigrant growing up in another country, I never felt truly connected to Portugal, though its culture had significantly influenced my whole childhood. To me, this country is a gathering of smells, sights and sounds piled up throughout several summer vacations.
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Portrait of my Maternal Grand-Mother, Benedita, Murços, 2018
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My Father and Tio Joao, Murços, 2018
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Maternal Grand-Mother’s bedroom, Murços, 2018
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Traditional wooden knife, Lamas, 2024
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A closed chapel in a church, Bragança, 2018
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Top-left: Tio Joao's old tractor, Murços, 2018
Top - right: Maternal Grand-Mother's front porch and drying clothes, Murços, 2018 |
Bottom-left: Tio Zé's dogs guarding the entrance of his rabbit farm, Murços, 2018
Bottom-right: The open wash house, Murços, 2018 |
Tia Prazes afterpicking up pumpkins, Lamas, 2024
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Dug up tree, Lamas, 2024
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Tio Zé picking pumpkins, Lamas, 2024
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Igreja do Povo, Lamas, 2024
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Presuntos hanging from the ceiling, Bragança, 2018
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Cross of Senhora do Campo on the Hill, Lamas, 2018
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LÉON A. FERNANDES © 2018-2022. All rights reserved.
