How did this grant contribute to the realization of your project in regard to artistic exchange, local cultural development and/or the promotion of cultural diversity?
My main goal in this first trip to Portugal was to know the country, visit my artistic spots for future events, meet with important people and organizations, university departments and political authorities to create the necessary links for future and ongoing artistic and cultural collaborations between the two countries of Greece and Portugal and later to expand this project to other Mediterranean regions. I had the opportunity to present poetry work to poets, artists and small audiences in Guimaraes, Porto and Lisbon. Also, I met with Professor from several Universities and Poets and publishers, I presented a paper in a Conference in Lisbon, and gave also a seminar to students, I met many representatives from cultural institutions, such as The Galouste Goulpenkian Foundation, The Fernando Pessoa Foundation, Villa de Flores in Guimaraes, Casa da Musica, Poetry Centers, New University of Lisbon, University of Porto, libraries and literary archives etc. Also, I met with Municipal authorities in Porto, Guimaraes and Lisbon for future partnerships and Sister-Cities programs with Greece. I also met with several publishers and editors, such as in Jornal de Noticias, ETC, Assirio & Alvim etc. In short, I have created now a network for collaborations to start later this fall. Also, during my stay I wrote a poetry book inspired by Portugal (a draft of which you find in a separate document).
How does exchange, networking and international contacts contribute to the development of your artistic and cultural project?
They are important, my projects are always of an international and global scope.
Can you elaborate on the learning and knowledge you have gained and shared throughout this experience?
Of course, a lot. It gave me the opportunity to develop my abilities in configuring and implementing important projects, I now understand much better the mentality of the Portugese people, ways of interraction, creativity and inspiration and collaboration issues.
