Re-interpreting heritage in the light of Faro
16-19 April 2026 in Faro, Portugal
Re-interpreting heritage in the light of Faro
16-19 April 2026 in Faro, Portugal
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16-19 April 2026 in Faro, Portugal
We will gather in Faro to discuss how interpretation can enhance the value of heritage – both natural and cultural – for people and societies in European democracies.
Faro, at the very Southwestern edge of the continent, is the right place to reflect on a theme which we consider of central importance for the future of Europe in challenging times of rapid change. It was here where the Council of Europe launched the “Faro Convention” in 2005, embarking on a journey towards more democratic, people-centred, and value-based practices in dealing with Europe’s heritage.
It challenges us to reconsider what heritage means for individuals, democratic societies, and for Europe as a whole. We are convinced that the Faro spirit is even more relevant today for all heritage interpretation, including natural heritage, despite the official legal text refers to cultural heritage only.
Join us to discuss how the Faro spirit can inspire theory and practice of interpretation. And, vice versa, how new approaches to co-creative interpretation can empower Faro heritage communities while strengthening cohesion of democratic societies committed to European values and sustainable development as ideals which are rooted in Europe’s past.
Find out more about the conference theme and the call for papers
The city of Faro and its surroundings, in Portugal’s Algarve, are alluringly rich in natural and cultural heritage.
Faro is situated in the extreme south-west of Europe and the whole region has been shaped throughout history by the succession and coexistence of diverse cultures and religions arriving by land and sea. It can look back on a turbulent past and it displays traces of these events everywhere. Many names in present-day Portugal and Spain testify to the influence of Romans, Byzantines, Visigoths and finally Moors. For centuries, explorers set sail from the Iberian Peninsula exporting, in turn, influences from this region.
What the Muslims once called Al Gharb, which simply meant the West, is what we now know as the Algarve and, with plenty of sunshine and beaches, it is one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. But the Algarve is much more than that. Between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains in the hinterland, we can discover a diverse landscape rich in natural and cultural treasures.
This geologically diverse landscape is the home of carob, fig, almond and eucalyptus trees, not to mention the ancient olive trees and mighty cork oaks. The people of the Algarve have always known how to use the assets of the region and old traditions live on in many places, many adapted to the times.
Faro is the capital of the region
Faro is the capital of the region
It’s believed that the Phoenicians originally founded the township. Because it was strategically well located, Faro was already an important trading centre in Roman times when it was known as Ossanoba. With the later rule of the Visigoths in the early fifth century, Faro became a bishopric.
From the beginning of the eighth to the middle of the thirteenth century, the city was under Moorish rule before being reconquered by the Portuguese king. Faro's great period of prosperity began when the bishopric was relocated there in 1577.
Today the old town enchants and captivates with a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets lined with seventeenth- and eighteenth-century houses. A Gothic cathedral stands at its centre where you find many traces of its history and feel the spirit of the city's eventful past.
The lagoon - a natural paradise
The lagoon - a natural paradise
Off Faro’s shore lies the Parque Natural da Rio Formosa, a labyrinth of canals, islands, salt marshes, mudflats and sandbanks. Whether this fascinating landscape was created by the gods of Atlantis or shaped by the rhythm of the tides over time, we leave visitors to ponder but this diversity of ecosystems attracts a great range of marine life and migratory birds and a most important natural resource in the south of Portugal.
Where time has stood still in the city centre
Where time has stood still in the city centre
A renowned place where, over cigars, gentlemen once debated world events and ladies met for more than card games, is the unique setting for our next Interpret Europe conference in April 2026.
Founded over 150 years ago, the Club Farense in Faro hasn't lost its special atmosphere even after so many decades. Every room tells its stories and transports visitors to times long past. We can immerse ourselves in this world and fill the rooms with our stories and contributions. While the club is usually reserved for its members, on weekends you can experience just about anything related to art and culture there – from all kinds of music to readings, theatre and shows.
And, in 2026, it will even be at the heart of our conference!
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