Seen and Heard
Bad luck but muddling through!
There was a big disappointment for the Luxembourg team when the time came to set up their stand: all the equipment sent a week in advance from Diekirch to Fundão, just to be on the safe side, had not arrived. In desperation the teacher Jean Marc Dijou went round the shops to find at least something to decorate his stand and give it some kind of Christmas appearance. And with the help of his two students he did manage to find what was needed, though he was still short of sweetmeats to hand out to the visitors. And for the buffet his student David Neierr didn't give up - he found the ingredients to make a large Christmas log for the Christmas buffet.
preparations are going well in the Luxembourg corner despite their problems!
Dancers for the occasion
At the cultural evening Marius, a student from Tirana, said by way of an introduction: 'At school I learn to cook and serve food, but not to dance. But I've learned these few dance steps for you - so with my friend, I'll dance them for you.' And the two of them danced so well, simply but with a contagious pleasure. Well done!
There was a big disappointment for the Luxembourg team when the time came to set up their stand: all the equipment sent a week in advance from Diekirch to Fundão, just to be on the safe side, had not arrived. In desperation the teacher Jean Marc Dijou went round the shops to find at least something to decorate his stand and give it some kind of Christmas appearance. And with the help of his two students he did manage to find what was needed, though he was still short of sweetmeats to hand out to the visitors. And for the buffet his student David Neierr didn't give up - he found the ingredients to make a large Christmas log for the Christmas buffet.
preparations are going well in the Luxembourg corner despite their problems!
Dancers for the occasion
At the cultural evening Marius, a student from Tirana, said by way of an introduction: 'At school I learn to cook and serve food, but not to dance. But I've learned these few dance steps for you - so with my friend, I'll dance them for you.' And the two of them danced so well, simply but with a contagious pleasure. Well done!
A bright idea!
The highest point of the Serra Estrela is officially 2000 metres above sea level. Why is this? By a clever trick. In fact the highest point is 1993 metres and to obtain a round figure it was decided to build a tower seven metres high. As simple as that! But it should be pointed out that this is the highest point in continental Portugal since there is a higher mountain in the Azores!
The highest point of the Serra Estrela is officially 2000 metres above sea level. Why is this? By a clever trick. In fact the highest point is 1993 metres and to obtain a round figure it was decided to build a tower seven metres high. As simple as that! But it should be pointed out that this is the highest point in continental Portugal since there is a higher mountain in the Azores!
Bacalhau, the Portuguese national dish
Baccalhau is to Portugal what steak and chips is to France. Thus the participants in Christmas in Europe were able to savour bacalhau several times prepared according to different recipes, what's more all as good as each other!
Baccalhau is to Portugal what steak and chips is to France. Thus the participants in Christmas in Europe were able to savour bacalhau several times prepared according to different recipes, what's more all as good as each other!
 | A real knife-and-scissors grinder at work! In the main street in Fundão we saw a knife-and-scissors grinder at work - something which it is now almost impossible to see elsewhere. Perched on a specially adapted bicycle this elderly gentleman was grinding away to sharpen the various scissors and knives which people brought him. |
Fully informed … During the excursion to Alpedrinha a television crew had followed the throng; a journalist, seizing the opportunity, interviewed several participants, wanting to know every detail. And the report was broadcast the following day on the national Portuguese television channel. This report showed the Portuguese public that the INFTUR training schools are heavily involved in European programmes! Vico's superb pictures Throughout Christmas in Europe Vico Melo, a cameraman taken on by INFTUR, filmed everything that was going on in the vicinity of his camera. And at the gala dinner he showed a montage extract of all these hours of film sequences. The result was much applauded by all those present. |  |
Vico who started work when delegates arrived in Lisbon!
Paulo's secret
The 'Christmas tree' this large green piece of canvas in the centre of the exhibition in the towns's functions hall, where the hotel school is also based - the tree concealed a secret. In fact Paulo Reves had thought that the interior of this Christmas tree would be the ideal setting for the European buffet. And despite the problems involved in setting it up, his idea became reality. But in the meantime he had sworn to secrecy the few people he had taken into his confidence.
a few minutes before the opening of the buffet the last finishing touches 'inside' the Christmas tree!
Olive oil, sweetmeats and an apron!
On the subject of the little presents which maintain friendships, the Fundão team had presented to all the participants at the cultural evening a small bottle of specially pressed olive oil to illustrate their sketch which was precisely about olive oil. The Château-Chinon school also gave out a little bag of sweetmeats, and the Rzeszov school gave ginger bread. And for completeness, at the gala dinner each guest found on the table in front of them a magnificent apron bearing the crest of INFTUR. Many thanks!
Discrete and efficient!
As you can imagine, an important event such as Christmas in Europe requires the input of a lot of good will, so that everything goes to plan when the time comes. Some of the people whose good will we relied on played a key role. Among them is Ana Dias in Fundão, who was responsible for contacts with the delegations (organisation of the delegations’ arrivals, as well as the goods and orders for the European buffet). And Ana Paula Pais, the official Portuguese representative on the AEHT Executive Board, whose job was to liaise between the AEHT and INFTUR, keeping close contact with Paulo Revès.
As you can imagine, an important event such as Christmas in Europe requires the input of a lot of good will, so that everything goes to plan when the time comes. Some of the people whose good will we relied on played a key role. Among them is Ana Dias in Fundão, who was responsible for contacts with the delegations (organisation of the delegations’ arrivals, as well as the goods and orders for the European buffet). And Ana Paula Pais, the official Portuguese representative on the AEHT Executive Board, whose job was to liaise between the AEHT and INFTUR, keeping close contact with Paulo Revès.
Tourism
EXCURSION TO ALPEDRINHA
On Sunday December 4th the organisers had planned the first of the excursions to Alpedrinha, a village located in the mountains a few kilometres from Fundão. The village has 1000 inhabitants and is in the middle of the cherry-growing region, though thanks to its long history it boasts a number of treasures. But before we visited any of them the guides took the group to a municipal building which houses an exhibition of Christ child's cribs, some of them highly original.
On Sunday December 4th the organisers had planned the first of the excursions to Alpedrinha, a village located in the mountains a few kilometres from Fundão. The village has 1000 inhabitants and is in the middle of the cherry-growing region, though thanks to its long history it boasts a number of treasures. But before we visited any of them the guides took the group to a municipal building which houses an exhibition of Christ child's cribs, some of them highly original.
Some highly original cribs - here is the proof!
A little later on in the narrow streets we saw yet more cribs displayed here and there according to the whims of the local inhabitants. Then a short visit to the museum of ethnography and folk art, a tasting of 'jeropiga' an apéritif made of grapes and kindly offered to us by villagers, a visit to the 16th century baroque St Martins church with its 18th century organ - and that was the end of a busy morning; we climbed the village streets towards the 'palace' undergoing restoration, to the 'Cerejal' restaurant for a well-deserved and much appreciated meal. And of course there was salt-cod on the menu.
In the museum of ethnography
You cannot refuse a little 'jeropiga' …
A well-deserved meal in the 'Cerejal'
MONSANTO AND IDANHA A NOVA
On Tuesday December 6th there was another excursion, this time a little further afield between the Serra Estrella and the Serra da Gardunha ranges, to Monsanto, a little village clinging to a rocky peak and dominated by an imposing fortress. There was a magnificent 360 degree panoramic view, and the fortress was a truly unassailable eagle's nest which alone would have made the journey worth while. The visitors were treated to a veritable history lesson from the local guide helped by his friend David Manuel Gomes Caetano, a teacher at the Fundão INFTUR school and an archaeologist when the mood takes him. In the fortress a number of the participants were interested by the St Michael chapel with its exterior tombs among other things, while other participants, less interested in the historical aspects, used the opportunity to enjoy the absolutely splendid view afforded by the location.
The St Michael chapel
After this busy morning a lunch-stop at the Astoria hotel in the centre of the spa town of Montfortinho was much appreciated; the second part of the day consisted of a visit to Idanha-a-Velha, a picturesque village which was undoubtedly of Roman origin but which had acquired different accretions over the centuries, which contribute to its charm. The olive oil press was the high point of this visit for which a commentary and documentation was provided; it was the penultimate part of this stay in Portugal which had been so rich in discoveries of every sort. Indeed, after returning to Fundão at 6.30pm, the participants had to make their way a little later to the gala evening …
the ancient olive oil press
Interviews
Paulo Reves
Paulo Reves is in charge of equipment, premises and events of the INFTUR schools in Lisbon and has been the linchpin of all the arrangements for Christmas in Europe in Fundão. He is discrete, misses nothing, and has guided the event without ever raising his voice or getting angry; he has a constant smile and the patience of a saint. Which was the most difficult part?
The most difficult part was erecting this Christmas tree (the tent in the centre of the exhibition). There was a real problem installing this green canopy using lifting gear which was too heavy for the floor in the hall. But we managed it!
How did you go about organising the event?
I went to Coimbra and Fundão about ten times, spending a whole day there each time, to work on the different phases of Christmas in Europe together with the local officers.
This worked perfectly. Of course there were minor problems here and there, but overall nothing too serious. I have to admit that it is stressful, but fantastic too. I'm used to it you know. I had seen DVDs of Senigallia and Bad Ischl which I used to put together the event. I had already organised two large events in Faro and Lisbon since I am in charge of INFTUR competitions. And then in events like this you have to try to predict everything - so I always had a plan A and a plan B. For example, how were we to heat the enormous hall? Well, I had to think of hiring extra heaters!
This worked perfectly. Of course there were minor problems here and there, but overall nothing too serious. I have to admit that it is stressful, but fantastic too. I'm used to it you know. I had seen DVDs of Senigallia and Bad Ischl which I used to put together the event. I had already organised two large events in Faro and Lisbon since I am in charge of INFTUR competitions. And then in events like this you have to try to predict everything - so I always had a plan A and a plan B. For example, how were we to heat the enormous hall? Well, I had to think of hiring extra heaters!
And how did you find funding for this event?
Half of the cost was paid for by the INFTUR, and of the remainder, 40% was financed by the Fundão town council, the rest by various sponsors. There you go. And when it's all over, I can sleep soundly again! But I would also like to emphasise the hard work of my immediate collaborators Paulo Baptista and Luis Pinto, without of course forgetting the contribution of Maria José Martins, the director of the Fundão School in making local arrangements.
Happy?
Delighted, completely delighted. All the more so since I can see that all the participants are happy to be here in Portugal and in Fundão…
AEHT President Alfonso Benvenuto
As organiser of the 2003 Christmas in Europe in Senigallia, Alfonso Benvenuto was wearing two hats in Fundão: that of AEHT president and that of the director of the Senigallia school which is participating in the Fundão Christmas in Europe. What were his impressions? This 14th version of Christmas in Europe in Fundão has brought together a lot of people in a very pleasant and hospitable country. The Fundão School has shown us the best of everything and beautiful places, which has allowed the delegations to make wonderful discoveries. In this little Portuguese town we have really felt that the Christmas traditions are still alive. Every family makes its own Christ child's crib. It's also very much in the spirit of the AEHT, the vision of Christiane Keller, affectionately known as Mother Christmas. I should like to thank the whole INFTUR team from Lisbon as well as the teachers and students of Fundão, especially the director Maria José Martins. The organisation of the stands and the warm welcome have been superb. And the sun has joined in, allowing us to discover a region and its culture very little known to people from Northern Europe.
The next version will be the 15th, in Örebro in Sweden - and I am sure that the Swedish team will organise an interesting stay for us, but this time with snow and ice. I hope that all of you will take part!'
The next version will be the 15th, in Örebro in Sweden - and I am sure that the Swedish team will organise an interesting stay for us, but this time with snow and ice. I hope that all of you will take part!'
Maria José Martins, Director of the Fundao INFTUR
Maria José Martins heads up the small Fundão school where there are 120 students and 20 teachers; she had taken part in the Bad Ischl Christmas in Europe in 2004, and there her stand and her team had caused quite a stir. This time the local organisation was her responsibility, with Paulo Reves in overall charge. For her, Christmas in Europe in Fundão has been 'the tops'Yes. Everyone worked willingly to make sure this Christmas in Europe was a success. And obviously safely say that everything worked well. I have to say that I have really enjoyed organising the event. And I think that the Fundão teachers and students are happy and very pleased with the experience. And I must admit that some day I wouldn't mind doing it again, for the sake of the school! I have been in touch with regional officials in my search for sponsors. The mayor of Fundão and several of the school's suppliers have helped to ensure that the event was a success. And I think I can !
Jennifer Pauwels - Diekirch/Luxembourg
Jennifer, 19 years old, is a tourism student; she radiates vitality and it is a pleasure to see how happy she is to be in Fundão. 'For me this event lets me see new things, and I find it very attractive. It is interesting to see all this different cultures mingling together here, as well as all these different types of dishes. And it is fantastic to mix with all the other young people. And as I like foreign languages, it's even better.'Sébastien Boulahrouz - Bonneville/France
Sébastien is 20 years old and training to be a chef; he has been a big hit as Father Christmas at the cultural evening. This doesn't stop him being modest, even though at heart he is full of fun. As he says, 'To start with I was a bit worried, I needed a bit of time to mix with the others, but in the end I realised that everyone was nice. Unfortunately time passes too quickly. It's my first time abroad and I have to say that it is a fantastic opportunity. We were so warmly welcomed and I'm finding out so many things, especially dishes from all over the place. It's fantastic…'
Marius Note - Tirana/Albanie
Another one who went down well at the cultural evening, when he danced with his friend in traditional dress, Marius is a 19 year-old student at the Tirana general hotel school where he is learning all aspects of the profession, and his optimism is contagious. For him this Christmas in Europe is 'a fantastic event and a great experience. You can see what other countries are doing and have so many contacts with other young people, it's interesting but there is just not enough time …Adriana- Yasmina Urbina - Semmering/Autriche
Adriana-Yasmina is 19 years old, studying tourism in Semmering. She is young and lively, and speaks quite openly. 'I was in Senigallia two years ago so I have already experienced this. I like it here. I am meeting lots of people, I'm learning about new traditions and making new contacts. It's great …'
Evening Entertainment in Fundćo
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT IN FUNDÃO
The Fundão organising team had chosen to arrange evening entertainment in various hotels in Fundão and the surrounding area. The participants really liked this idea, which gave them the opportunity to discover the rich variety of top establishments around the town. We will say no more, as each evening offered impeccable quality, service and atmosphere.
THE 'ESTALAGEM DA NEVE' HOTEL
This handsome hotel stands at the entrance to Fundão and was the venue for the participants on the evening of December 3rd after a day spent setting up the exhibition, followed by its inauguration. During these pleasant and much appreciated revelries the 'Grupo de Cantarès de Aldeia de Joanes' provided musical entertainment, and as the delegates left, the drums of the 'Bombos Rancho F.Cova da Beira' from Fundão took over and accompanied the participants to the church where midnight mass was being celebrated.
View of the dining hall
The drums of the 'Bombos Rancho F. Cova da Beira
View of the front of the hotel
THE 'O ALAMBIQUE' HOTEL
The 'O Alambique' hotel and restaurant was a different type of venue, but just as convivial and an equal success. Everyone was agreeably surprised to see so many different types of starters being served, providing the opportunity to taste dishes that were as tasty as they were well presented. It was an excellent way to begin an evening which continued later with the cultural show in the town's multipurpose hall where the exhibition had been set up.
No way you could make a mistake!
The usual pleasant atmosphere
The guests are happy!
GALA EVENING AT THE 'PRINCIPE DA BEIRA'
The gala evening and closing ceremony were up to the standard set by the previous days and once again the organisers had spared no effort. To make sure that the participants mixed there was a seating plan, with each table given the name of a musician - an idea which caused many a smile! Every detail of the evening's entertainment had been well thought out: the highlights of the stay were projected onto a screen from a video made by Vico Melo, the certificates of attendance were handed out together with the usual little present for each participant and messages of greeting were of course addressed to everyone. And not forgetting the musical entertainments provide by the 'Intermezzo' choir.
Jorge Umbelino hands the present to the delegations as a souvenir
The official table
The 'Intermezzo' choir in full voice
Alfonso Benvenuto spoke on behalf of the entire AEHT to thank the organisers for these magnificent days spent in Fundão. Dr Jorge Umbelino, president of INFTUR made no secret of his joy as he encouraged those present with these words: 'Do not change direction, it is important to exchange ideas and experiences, I hope that you will come back to Portugal either to work or on holiday. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to you all…' He also handed to the head of each delegation a souvenir art book bearing the crest of INFTUR.
The founder of Christmas in Europe, Christiane Keller, was visibly moved by the occasion and in a few words summed up the very special atmosphere in Fundão, concluding by saying, 'We are all enchanted by the warm Portuguese welcome…'
And then the ceremony of handing the flag from the Fundão team, headed by Maria José Martins to the team from Örebro in Sweden which will organise Christmas in Europe in 2006. Each year this is an emotional moment, and this year was accompanied by a short and amusing video presentation of Örebro. Sheila Nordström, the international coordinator and her headmaster Björn Sterner expressed their hope, not without evident emotion, that delegates would come to Örebro in 2006, taking the opportunity to thank the INFTUR team in Fundão for their hard work
the flag is handed from Fundão to Örebro.
THE PARTY IS OVER. THANKS TO FUNDÃO, SEE YOU NEXT YEAR IN ÖREBRO!
The Fundão organising team had chosen to arrange evening entertainment in various hotels in Fundão and the surrounding area. The participants really liked this idea, which gave them the opportunity to discover the rich variety of top establishments around the town. We will say no more, as each evening offered impeccable quality, service and atmosphere.
THE 'ESTALAGEM DA NEVE' HOTEL
This handsome hotel stands at the entrance to Fundão and was the venue for the participants on the evening of December 3rd after a day spent setting up the exhibition, followed by its inauguration. During these pleasant and much appreciated revelries the 'Grupo de Cantarès de Aldeia de Joanes' provided musical entertainment, and as the delegates left, the drums of the 'Bombos Rancho F.Cova da Beira' from Fundão took over and accompanied the participants to the church where midnight mass was being celebrated.
View of the dining hall
The drums of the 'Bombos Rancho F. Cova da Beira
View of the front of the hotel
THE 'O ALAMBIQUE' HOTEL
The 'O Alambique' hotel and restaurant was a different type of venue, but just as convivial and an equal success. Everyone was agreeably surprised to see so many different types of starters being served, providing the opportunity to taste dishes that were as tasty as they were well presented. It was an excellent way to begin an evening which continued later with the cultural show in the town's multipurpose hall where the exhibition had been set up.
No way you could make a mistake!
The usual pleasant atmosphere
The guests are happy!
GALA EVENING AT THE 'PRINCIPE DA BEIRA'
The gala evening and closing ceremony were up to the standard set by the previous days and once again the organisers had spared no effort. To make sure that the participants mixed there was a seating plan, with each table given the name of a musician - an idea which caused many a smile! Every detail of the evening's entertainment had been well thought out: the highlights of the stay were projected onto a screen from a video made by Vico Melo, the certificates of attendance were handed out together with the usual little present for each participant and messages of greeting were of course addressed to everyone. And not forgetting the musical entertainments provide by the 'Intermezzo' choir.
Jorge Umbelino hands the present to the delegations as a souvenir
The official table
The 'Intermezzo' choir in full voice
Alfonso Benvenuto spoke on behalf of the entire AEHT to thank the organisers for these magnificent days spent in Fundão. Dr Jorge Umbelino, president of INFTUR made no secret of his joy as he encouraged those present with these words: 'Do not change direction, it is important to exchange ideas and experiences, I hope that you will come back to Portugal either to work or on holiday. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to you all…' He also handed to the head of each delegation a souvenir art book bearing the crest of INFTUR.
The founder of Christmas in Europe, Christiane Keller, was visibly moved by the occasion and in a few words summed up the very special atmosphere in Fundão, concluding by saying, 'We are all enchanted by the warm Portuguese welcome…'And then the ceremony of handing the flag from the Fundão team, headed by Maria José Martins to the team from Örebro in Sweden which will organise Christmas in Europe in 2006. Each year this is an emotional moment, and this year was accompanied by a short and amusing video presentation of Örebro. Sheila Nordström, the international coordinator and her headmaster Björn Sterner expressed their hope, not without evident emotion, that delegates would come to Örebro in 2006, taking the opportunity to thank the INFTUR team in Fundão for their hard work
the flag is handed from Fundão to Örebro.
THE PARTY IS OVER. THANKS TO FUNDÃO, SEE YOU NEXT YEAR IN ÖREBRO!
The European Buffet
The 'dining room' was set up inside the green tent symbolising a Christmas tree and the Fundão students had pulled out all the stops to make the place look exactly right. The dishes were set out all around the tent and for the food preparation the organisers had provided individual workstations for each country, identified by little flags!
Final preparations for the buffet
Well presented in every respect
At the official opening to which many guests had been invited AEHT president Alfonso Benvenuto made a point of thanking the students and teachers of the Coimbra and Fundão schools for this superb stay in Portugal. Louis Robert, AEHT vice-president and director of the Diekirch hotel school in Luxembourg added his own copious praise, thanking all those who had taken part in this 14th Christmas in Europe 'which would not exist without Christiane Keller. Many thanks to her, many thanks to the teachers and students from Portugal and those who have come from all over Europe. And I should be glad to see you again next year in Örebro', he concluded.
Finally Carlos São Martinho, Fundão's deputy mayor, congratulated the organisers for this splendid event and expressed the wish that other events of this type should take place in Fundão. 'I hope', he said 'that everyone likes it here in Fundão'.
It is time for speeches before the buffet is open
Then the buffet was open with the traditional dash with the participants hunting around for a dish to savour. They were spoilt for choice with dishes from the north to the south of Europe, the delegations having gone to great lengths to produce their very best. The 'Groupo Coral e etnografico de Silvares' choir as well as the accordion player José Pedro took to the stage to present some musical interludes
The 'Groupo Coral e etnografico de Silvares' choir
And at the end of the meal a sound system provided the music for a spontaneous final farandole beneath the tent. However there was a lot of food left over, and unfortunately the students from the Fundão school were not longer there to take advantage of it.
The evening is rounded off with dancing!
Final preparations for the buffet
Well presented in every respect
At the official opening to which many guests had been invited AEHT president Alfonso Benvenuto made a point of thanking the students and teachers of the Coimbra and Fundão schools for this superb stay in Portugal. Louis Robert, AEHT vice-president and director of the Diekirch hotel school in Luxembourg added his own copious praise, thanking all those who had taken part in this 14th Christmas in Europe 'which would not exist without Christiane Keller. Many thanks to her, many thanks to the teachers and students from Portugal and those who have come from all over Europe. And I should be glad to see you again next year in Örebro', he concluded.
Finally Carlos São Martinho, Fundão's deputy mayor, congratulated the organisers for this splendid event and expressed the wish that other events of this type should take place in Fundão. 'I hope', he said 'that everyone likes it here in Fundão'.
It is time for speeches before the buffet is open
Then the buffet was open with the traditional dash with the participants hunting around for a dish to savour. They were spoilt for choice with dishes from the north to the south of Europe, the delegations having gone to great lengths to produce their very best. The 'Groupo Coral e etnografico de Silvares' choir as well as the accordion player José Pedro took to the stage to present some musical interludes
The 'Groupo Coral e etnografico de Silvares' choir
And at the end of the meal a sound system provided the music for a spontaneous final farandole beneath the tent. However there was a lot of food left over, and unfortunately the students from the Fundão school were not longer there to take advantage of it.
The evening is rounded off with dancing!
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