This territory has been severely affected by forest fires in recent years, which have devastated large forest areas, destroyed property, and had a profound impact on residents and the local economy. The fires in Mação have not only destroyed ecosystems and heritage but have also left a deep mark on the community.

Beyond the ecological damage and economic losses, the fires have a psychological impact on inhabitants, who live in constant fear of new disasters. Even so, the community has shown remarkable resilience and capacity for economic and social regeneration, supported in part by political decisions that have contributed to a more sustainable future.

It is within this context, and out of the need for reflection and dialogue about the past, present, and future, that the UTOPIA photography contest (Unite–Transform–Organise–Participate–Integrate–Believe) takes place.

This photography contest is one of the activities promoted by the Instituto Terra e Memória (ITM) and is part of the project “Transformative Territories: Performing the Transition through the Arts”.

The project is intended as a legacy documenting the memory, impact, and regeneration process carried out by the community. It will create a platform for awareness and dialogue on community resilience processes in the face of landscape transformation and its economic, social, and psychological impacts.

The contest is held within the framework of the “Transformative Territories – TT” project, which brings together a consortium including the Instituto Terra e Memória in Portugal and partners from Spain, France, the Czech Republic, and Greece.

The project aims to address the impact of forest fires in the municipality of Mação, using art as a means of reflection and regeneration.

All citizens are invited to take part in this photography contest. Participation consists of submitting photographs taken by citizens that depict the fires which have devastated the municipality of Mação over the years, with particular focus on the years 2003, 2017, and 2019.

A jury composed of photography teachers and professionals will evaluate the photographs that are most relevant to the theme of the contest, and an exhibition will later be held with the selected works.

Registration can be completed by contacting the organization via email at ttutopia2024@gmail.com or in person at the premises of Instituto Terra e Memória, Largo dos Combatentes, in Mação.

Photographs may be submitted either in digital format or printed. Members of the jury panel and of Instituto Terra e Memória are not allowed to participate.

The jury will seek to guarantee the authenticity of the images and is entitled to request RAW files in cases of suspected manipulation.

Each photograph must be sent in digital format with a minimum of 2500 px on the shortest side, or in physical format delivered to the premises of Instituto Terra e Memória, clearly identified. Winning photographs must be provided in their original size when requested.

Participants must hold all rights to the photographs submitted to the contest and must ensure that they do not infringe any third-party rights or any other rights protected by law. The photographs must be the original work of each participant. Instituto Terra e Memória (ITM) cannot be held responsible for any failure to comply with these conditions.

ITM may use the winning photographs in any promotional or dissemination materials it deems necessary, always crediting the author’s name. Photographs submitted to the contest may be included in photographic exhibitions organized by the promoting entity.

The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Jury members: Hugo Gomes, Geologist, PhD, Researcher at ITM (Jury President); Kenia de Aguiar Ribeiro, Journalist and Photographer, with training in Art History and Archaeology from Sorbonne Université; António Ventura, Lecturer in the Photography course, IPT/CEFT – Casa dos Cubos; Ari de Carvalho, Sound designer and researcher, Master’s degree from the School of Arts of UCP; Filipe Patrocínio, Photographer and Designer, award-winning specialist in Nature, Science, and Outdoor photography.

Important dates: Start date for photo submissions: 15‑09‑2024; Deadline for photo submissions: 31‑10‑2024; Announcement of results: 31‑11‑2024.