Amendment to the PDM allows private hospital in Nazare

In order to allow the installation of a health unit of private capital in a land of 30 hectares located in the Royal Path, in Pederneira, the City Council of Nazare has initiated a process to amend the Municipal Director Plan (PDM).

This amendment, advanced by the local authority announced and approved at meeting of a municipal executive in the past day August 11, focuses on the land chosen for the location of the new hospital of the future, addressed in the PDM by two different classifications, one part in the area of tourist development of the town, and the other in forested areas. The use of the land should now be done, with equipment assigned to the occupation of collective nature of regional relevance, in an amendment to PDM which will articulate itself with the plans, projects and programmes under way for that zone, from which stand out the first review PDM and the Urban Plan of Pederneira.

The municipality justifies this amendment to the "strategic importance of the investment" that represents the installation of a hospital in Nazare, vanguard - with cutting-edge technology and part of research - and its proximity to the future variant of the National Road 242 and the IC9. Another argument raised is that, in addition to not allow the construction unit of health, the PDM currently in force no longer corresponds "to the current strategy of tourism development of Nazare, which now passes through areas such as S. Giao, Caixins and North Beach, "where the detailed plans are already underway.

To discuss the changes in the PDM the municipality will allow a period of 15 days of participation, with suggestions for the formulation and submission of relevant information. It follows a period of 180 days to make the necessary and final changes.

It is recalled that the hospital to be constructed is a result of a protocol between the City of Nazare and the Chamber of Commerce Israel-Portuguese and represents an investment which amounts to 100 million. The area of deployment of the building, which should take a bold appearance, will occupy about 10 square meters.

Painting’s of Jose Figueira at the Cultural Center of Nazare (Silver Coast – Portugal)

The painter Jose Figueira exhibits from July, the 5th, some of his work in the town which is his place of birth. Until July 20, at the Cultural Center of Nazare, an exhibition of oil paintings of naturalist inspiration, where aspects as sunlight, the setting sun shades and colours of fruit are focused the most.

Self learner, Jose Figueira began to paint in the eighties. Only after his retirement did he devoted himself full time to painting and has participated in several exhibitions, both individual and collective, with some of his works incorporating private collections in Portugal and abroad.

Now you can see some of his work in the building of the former fish market Nazarene, an organization of the local city hall, between 10.00 and 24.00 hours on working days and 15.00 and 24.00 for week-end and holidays, as the Cultural Center closes for lunch from 13:00 to 15:00 and for dinner from 19:00 to 21:00.

Silver Coast - Portugal, Photo Exhibit recalls Nazare of the old days

The Cultural Center of Nazare hosts until the next day June 8th an exhibition of photographs that evoke the life of this fishing village in the 40's. In Tempo(com) sentido or "Time (With) Sense" the photos are 60 persons belonging to the collection of Jose Maria Carvalho Junior, known local doctor and amateur photographer, which focus on the human element and cultural identity of the town, offering a look beyond the context of the community fishing season.

Known locally as "doctor of the people," Carvalho Junior marked the civic and cultural activity of Nazare in the mid-twentieth century. His name is directly linked to the Library of Nazare, who founded and directed for several years, the newspaper Probus, "is born by his hand and by his brother, the Orfeao of Nazare, the Philarmonic Nazare Band and several groups of amateur theatre .

"Time (With) Sense" is an exhibition sponsored by the Library of Nazare and the League of Friends of Nazare, with the support of City Hall, and can be visited from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 19:00. On holidays and week-ends the Cultural Center of Nazare is open between 15:00 and 19:00.

The “Neighbour Fest” is back at Nazare

The council of Nazare (Silver Coast – Portugal) is going to organize a “Neighbour Fest” once again, an initiative to celebrate the European Day of Neighbours, which marks the next day, May the 27th.

To this end, the population of the county is invited, through the organization of the “Neighbour Fest” - in the street, in the courtyard of the urbanization, in the garden of the house, anywhere. Groups of neighbours interested in joining this initiative can make the inscription at the City Council or for more information through telephone 262550010.

The Neighbours' Day was first celebrated in France in 1999 with the aim of promoting relations of proximity, promoting solidarity and to combat the isolation increasingly common in urban areas, through the simple idea of a meeting of neighbours around the table.

Only in 2002 was to be reported as a European day, with the entry of Belgium and Switzerland. In the following years, more countries have joined this initiative and by 2007, seven million citizens, throughout Europe, were in the street with their neighbours.

Nazare participated last year for the first time, with a very positive balance sheet. Some 300 people joined the initiative and promoted various parties, and almost everywhere in town, animated by the Philharmonic Association of Nazare (which this year will also be responsible for the musical animation).

The “Neighbour Fest”, in Portugal, is an organization of the Portuguese Committee for the Coordination of Social Housing.

Old ways at Nazare

The xavega art (fishing technique) is one of the more traditional types of fishing of Nazare (Silver Coast - Portugal), and will return to the beach every Saturday afternoon, from May the 17th till the end of June.

Promoted by the city of Nazare and the Tourism Region of Leiria/ Fatima, in collaboration with the Commercial, Industrial and Local Services Association, this initiative is the reconstitution of the rituals of the xavega art, which fell into disuse in recent decades because of technological developments and the new economic and legal contexts of the sector.

The recreation is made by a local group who came to practice this art. As in other times, the fishing nets are being thrown back in the morning in areas off the coast, known as "lances" (known by fishermen as special spots, called by signs of land and sea). By late afternoon, there is the extended net work - pulled from the beach, by fishermen and fish saleswomen, in what is the most emblematic moment of the xavega art.

The fish caught is then sold in a spontaneous auction on the beach in front of the Sousa Oliveira Plaza, in reconstitution of the old processes of sale, with the traditional "chui", the signal that closed the purchase.

Preserving the collective memory through the dissemination of maritime culture, contributing to the strengthening of local identity, is the main objective of rebuilding the xavega art, which also has become in recent years, a major tourist poster of the region.

The xavega art will be held on Saturdays, till the end of June, if state of the sea and weather conditions permit so. The high point of recreation takes place by 5 P.M., with extended net pulling in the sand, in the area in front of the local Tourism Office of Nazare.

Nazare received the “Love Fest”

In eves of S. Valentine’s Day, Nazare was invaded by love.

Between the 8th and 10th of February last, Nazare’s Cultural Centre was the main stage for the “Love Fest” (Festa do Amor), an event particularly destined to the more passionate couples, which approached the several sides of this human sentiment.

Homemade chocolates, pottery, teas and corporal oils are some of the available products that can also be good suggestions of gifts for upcoming Valentine’s Day.
For the boldest there where aphrodisiac cocktails and you could offer to your lover a full beauty service of or even a relaxing massage. Strolls in a limo, acupuncture treatments or personalized candles where other options to daze your better half. And as love and the magic walked side by side, it was still possible to “read the cards”, hear your fate or throw the shells, as well as get to know other esoteric products.

The "Love Fest" counted also with a cultural activities program. On Saturday, around 10 pm, a cross flute concert was held and an hour later a belly dance exhibition took place. On Sunday, the 10th, by 3 PM you could attend a violin concert. In addition was the thematic animation (a cupid with magical arrows) and an exposition of Andre Brito photography.

The "Love Fest" was an initiative promoted by Colectivo Relogio (local association), in collaboration with the Commercial, Industry and Service Association of Nazare, with the support of the Town Council, showing just how dynamic Nazare and the Silver Coast is, even outside the summer holidays.

World Press Photo 2007 Photo taken in Nazare conquers award

A photo taken during the Sumol Nazare BB Special Edition (a big wave bodyboarding event), that took place in last December, at Praia do Norte (big wave spot), earned a distinction at the 2007 World Press Photo Awards (WPPh).

The awards where announced by the WPPh Foundation and the photo journalist Miguel Lopes Barreira was placed third in the "Sport Action" category with an amazing black and white image where bodyboarder Jaime Jesus is caught completely suspended in the air, about to fall in the massive whitewash.

The World Press Photo Awards are considered the most important awards in terms of international recognition of the work done by photo journalists worldwide.
The awards ceremony is to be held on the 27th of April, at Amsterdam.

Nazare and Silver Coast of Portugal are, once again, in the spotlight, as the potential for radical water sports that is found here starts to gain international attention. A natural consequence, which will obviously affect the property business in the most positive way, as every year, more, and more surfers and ocean lovers in general, make way for this beautiful stretch of coastline facing the mighty Atlantic, curious to see what all the fuss about…is.

News of the West Coast

Carnival in the Silver Coast heats up!

The theme for the Main Course of Nazare’s 2008 Carnival is already known and goes under the theme/subject: "Are you kidding". The song that won the contest promoted by the town council of Nazare has lyrics by Antonio Lopes and music by Francisco Taveira that also interprets; musical arrangements by Rui Amado.

As usually the Main Course obeys to the theme chosen for the year in force and is one of the symbols of the unique way of celebrating the Carnival by the local folks of Nazare.

Meanwhile, the first carnival festivities have already begun, with the first Masks Ball taking place at the Recreational Association of Planalto, in Sítio of Nazare. Last Sunday afternoon took place a Street Ball with public presentation of the Kings of the Nazare Carnival in the Sousa Oliveira Square.

In Torres Vedras the Carnival even has its own website (www.carnavaldetorres.com), with all the available information about the Carnival. Last Saturday took place the inaugural ceremony of the "Monument" in ode to the Carnival, at the Republic Square.

Following the spirit largely known, the Carnival of Torres Vedras proposes this year, in the launching of this year’s edition of the " The most Portuguese Carnival in Portugal", a statue that challenges all engineering, creation and audacity, in the scope of the main theme of the event – The Super Heroes – a Monument to the Comic Books. In the construction process, that contemplates 35 Comic Book characters, 80 artists were involved.

Enjoy the SILVER COAST ( OESTE ), Portugal

OESTE The most diversified tourism region of Portugal

Located between the two main cities of Portugal (Lisbon and Oporto), the SILVER COAST (OESTE, Costa de Prata) is indeed, a special place, starting off from Castelo de Paiva, all the way down south to Arruda dos Vinhos, you will be amazed by all the wonders this unique stretch of coastline can pack.

Very well served of motorways and other quality accessibilities, you just can’t miss it. From picturesque fishing towns (Nazaré, Peniche, Ericeira), to the beautiful lagoon of Óbidos that links to stunning the beach of Foz do Arelho, you’ll find it impossible to get bored, as culture meets nature and history embraces modern ways.

The SILVER COAST (Costa de Prata) has a flavour for everyone, as you can visit the worldwide famous shrine of Fátima in the morning, buy local fruit and veggies at the traditional open market of Caldas da Rainha mid day, only to finnish a perfect day with a candlelight dinner at the castle town of Óbidos.

Experience the portuguese food, arquitecture and landscapes

Anyone that has ever been to Portugal, will most certainly rave about the food, specially about all the delicious fish dishes. Sample some Caldeirada at the harbour town of Peniche and understand immediately, not to mention all the other world-class wines you haven’t tried yet, or you thought Porto was the only top wine in Portugal? And while visiting Peniche, don’t forget to try out one the many action sports, as this former island facing the deep blue is pretty much the portuguese capital of nautical sports (surfing; bodyboarding; windsurfing; kitesurfing), and with nearby islands of Berlenga and Farilhões (accessible by regular boat trips), you can always choose to contemplate a spectacular view to a always stunning coastline. For those less fond of the adrenaline rushes, a great game of golf, at one of Europe’s finest golf courses (Praia d’el Rey) will keep you relaxed and unperturbed, as you’ll be in walking distance from the pristine beaches facing the vast Atlantic Ocean.
But don’t be satisfied with how nature blessed this striking piece of Portugal, as Batalha and Alcobaça are home of two of Portugal’s seven wonders, as the ancient monasteries are very worth the visit and only a few kilometres apart.