“Everything in Vila Viçosa in Portugal is so much land, that it is not so striking in history”, says writer Miguel Pinho/sound)
In the edition of the book launch with the purpose of new authors, Vila Via City Council presented today the presentation of the book Passeio Lusitana, by the writer Pinho, edited by E Vieira da Silva.
Rádio Campanário was present and spoke with Miguel Pinho, author of this work, who began by mentioning that the idea of writing this book “came out two years ago,” When “I decided to write about my country and all that the country has to offer, in its geographical and historical diversity, not leaving any province out, writing about 30 locations.”
“These 30 places represent the Portuguese soul and, of course, Vila Viços introduces the book, as such it is a land that I really like and I am very proud to be here.”
Vila Viçosa is a unique reference to the southern interior of the country that appears in this book. Asked why he chose Vila Viçosa, the author said that “my choice of Vila Viçosa had to do with the fact that I think that Vila Viçosa, everything it has to offer is beautiful, from the Castle, to the Church of São Bartolomeu, to the Paço Ducal,” highlighting that “it will hardly be so small in Portugal a land of size, which has so much to offer and which is most striking in our history.”
Furthermore “all surroundings, like Elvas and Évora, which are close is to write as if about the area to write about these lands”. Miguel Pinho also underlined that “maybe the Alentejo is my favorite area of Portugal and Vila Viçosa I thought would be the right village to represent this entire region.”
In his presentation speech, the author highlighted in Vila Viçosa one of the things that pleases him the most every time he comes to this Vila is the hospitality and the way the locals know their visitors. Thus, the author shared with us an episode that happened before the presentation of the book that demonstrates this knowing how to receive. “As I traveled almost 450 km to get here, I arrived a little late and then we went somewhere at three o’clock. The lady saw that she was in a bit of a hurry and said, you are completely free to come here to pay whenever you wantI think this is an example, in few other lands this would happen.”
Asked about future projects, Miguel Pinho advanced “I have plans to release a second book next year also about travel, but a different concept and perspective.”