This May is the month in which the University of Aveiro returns to the villages, from 21 to 23. The return of Project@X, this time under the brand "Starlight Hike", in which the students of the Design course willfocus on the night sky in an holistic way: experience, artefacts, communication and interaction.

Project@X- "Starlight Hike" begins on 21 May, with a residency in the Aldeia do Xisto of Fajão, in Pampilhosa da Serra, where the foundations will be laid for the development of design concepts with the students of the Design Degree, the DeCA-UA - Department of Communication and Art of the University of Aveiro.  Immersion in the context of places, the close relationship with nature and with people is the compass for revitalising the region on the basis of its cultural uniqueness. Project@X brings the laboratory out of the classroom and combines design thinking, pedagogy, culture and project methodology with the strategic development of the Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto project, to jointly stimulate the preservation of the night sky and tourism activity.
 

For Rui Simão, executive director of ADXTUR, "this project materialises the intervention culture of the Aldeias do Xisto, which has always sought to transform shortcomings into opportunities, calling on knowledge to interact with local resources, project new paths and mobilise partners and society to take advantage of them."

Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto - Under the stars

The Aldeias do Xisto tregion has seen the quality of its skies recognised by the Starlight Foundation, awarding it the Starlight Tourism Destination certification. Alongside the excellent conditions of visibility, transparency, and darkness of the sky, this accreditation also attests to the commitment of public, private, and scientific bodies, and the readiness and quality of tourist services, augmented by the genuine interest of the resident community.

Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto is led by ADXTUR, in partnership with the Dark Sky Alqueva Association, and is funded by Centro 2020 and Turismo de Portugal. Completing the network of initial partners are the Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community, the Institute of Telecommunications of the University of Aveiro and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto.

This combination of factors shapes the future for this region's relationship with the sky, which goes beyond mere observation to become a strategic focus that reconciles tourism development, integration with the Scientific and Technological System, social and environmental sustainability, the empowerment of people and the stimulation of the economy.

Throughout 2021, mainly during the summer months, this intensive programme will intersect with diverse arts, cultural and leisure events, anchored in the Aldeias do Xisto Entertainment Calendar.