Ethnographic and artist residency on the prickly broom

CARQUEJA IN THE DAILY LIFE OF VÁRZEA DE CALDE
Ethnographic and artist residency
With Ana Ferreira, Liliana Silva and Luís Costa
April 1st – 30th 2025
Várzea de Calde (Viseu)

An activity developed by Binaural Nodar in conjunction with the Municipality of Viseu, the Parish Council of Calde, the Cultural and Recreational Association of Várzea de Calde, the Ethnographic Singing Group of Várzea de Calde, the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, the University of Aveiro (through its Department of Communication and Art) and the Tramontana Network, co-funded by the Creative Europe program.

Following an invitation from the Várzea de Calde – Aldeia de Portugal working group, Binaural Nodar began an ethnographic field research and creative project related to the “carqueja” (“prickly broom”) in Várzea de Calde, whose inhabitants were called “carquejeiros”, due to the profusion of this plant around the village, which was collected and transported to Viseu to be burned in the ovens that baked bread in some bakeries. Carqueja is a creeping plant that is highly resistant to fires, as it regenerates very quickly once burnt. Traditionally, carqueja is used for its digestive action, as a liver stimulant, for its diuretic effect, for colds and flu, with the flowers being the most commonly used part for infusions. In addition to its medicinal use, this plant is also used as fodder for cattle, to build brooms and as firewood for bread ovens, as it burns very quickly and produces a lot of energy.

During the research, photographs, interviews and audiovisual recordings will be taken with the community, which will result in three complementary works/installations, one photographic, one mixed-media and one audiovisual, all to be opened next May, at a date and time to be announced.

Binaural Nodar is a cultural organization supported by the Portuguese Republic – Culture | Directorate-General for the Arts.