“À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos”, by artist Lola Escámez, is on display until July 18; the 7th anniversary of the international cooperation agreement between Alenquer and Benkovac also motivated a presence in the municipality
The Croatian Ambassador to Portugal, Anita TrÅ¡ić, honoured Alenquer with her presence on 27 June, having been received in the Great Hall of the Town Hall by the municipal executive. The visit marked not only the 7th anniversary of the international cooperation agreement between Alenquer and the Croatian city of Benkovac, but also the inauguration of the exhibition ‘À Nana: Monstros e Vinhedos’, open for free visits until 18 July, at the Wine Museum.
The two countries, with a generous coastline, are united by wine production. Alenquer and Benkovac cooperate in preserving and enhancing the identity of native grape varieties, with visible results and prizes collected in such a short space of time. The Mayor, Pedro Folgado, spoke of the achievements that could be expanded given the closer relations. “With this agreement, we have created value for Portugal and Croatia, and together we have been partners in this value. Cooperation has been carried out through wine, but we are open to expanding the spectrum to other areas. We thank the Ambassador for honouring us with her presence on the 7th anniversary of the signing of the agreement”, he said.
Then, it was the turn of the Croatian Ambassador to express her happiness at the way she was welcomed in the municipality and to reinforce the need for cooperation between “two sister cities”. “I am very pleased to be here today. This agreement unites two countries that have a lot in common with each other. I have already tasted the Posip wine that is produced there and I can say that I am very happy to know that everything has gone well. The Embassy is also here to support projects like these, at a local level. This agreement with Alenquer is a source of inspiration for other regions”, reiterated the Croatian representative in the Town Hall, surrounded by the various interlocutors of this agreement signed in 2017.
Councillor Paulo Franco highlighted the “common and universal language of those who have worked in the vineyard for generations” that unites the two regions, highlighting the magnitude of the exhibition. “Alenquer and Benkovac are pleased to promote, through this initiative, the ancestral understanding that has been established between wine and creativity, claiming that both require attention, dedication and time to be matured and appreciated to their full potential”, said the person responsible for coordinating external and institutional relations in Alenquer.
At the Wine Museum, Spanish artist Lola Escámez presented the exhibition ‘À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos’ , created by her, whose technique she began using after a conversation between friends, in September 2022. The History of Art graduate uses wine and its natural pigments to dye the canvas and enjoy artistic experimentation, inspired by North American abstract expressionism. After appreciating the works, the guests were challenged to also risk their skills in this facet that combines two different occupations. Â
Dejan Ivanović and Rui Filipe would end the ceremony with a musical moment, accompanied simultaneously by the artistic recreation of Lola Escámez.
From July 3rd, it is the turn of a delegation from the Municipality of Alenquer to be present on Croatian soil, being received by the Portuguese Ambassador to Croatia and by representatives of the city of Benkovac.
Source: Alenquer.pt
