Desire, Imagination & Dream: Angela Carter in Portugal

We are pleased to announce the international conference "Desire, Imagination & Dream," dedicated to the British author Angela Carter and mainly explores the political and artistic issues surrounding her visit to Portugal in 1977, specifically to Caldas da Rainha, during the IV Encontros de Arte em Portugal. At the time, the author wrote two journalistic articles about these meetings, reflecting on the post-revolution moment at a social, economic and political level. Carter also addressed aspects of identity, such as ceramics and the cultural issues of the time.

The conference will take place from June 27 to 29, at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Lisbon, offering a rich and varied program that includes a unique gastronomic experience and a visit to Caldas da Rainha, taking in the sites visited by Carter and current art exhibitions, on the last day of the conference - organized by Maria José Pires and Isabelle Martins (ESHTE) in partnership with the Caldas da Rainha City Council.

The Conference itself is organized by the University of Lisbon's Centre for English Studies, with researchers Maria José Pires (Estoril School of Hospitality and Tourism) and Elena Bollinger (University of Madeira), and the event bears the stamp of the Angela Carter Society, represented by Caleb Ferrarri.

On June 28, at Casa de Santa Maria in Cascais, the gastronomic experience entitled "Imagery Reflecting Experience" will take place. This event stands out as one of the main activities of the conference, promoting a fusion between literature and the culinary arts. It has the following partners: Cascais City Council, Imppacto Catering and Events, Koppert Cress, Vista Alegre and Bordallo Pinheiro.

Students from ESHTE's Masters in Innovation in Culinary Arts and Sciences (MIACC) developed this gastronomic event based on the reading and interpretation of Angela Carter's texts, as well as the cultural contextualization represented by the ceramics of Caldas da Rainha. The experience also celebrates the 200th anniversary of one of Portugal's most iconic brands, Vista Alegre, in conjunction with Bordallo Pinheiro, and promises to be a memorable celebration of literature, art and gastronomy.

For more information and to register, please visit the official "Desire, Imagination & Dream" conference website or contact Maria José Pires | 967069922.