O património imaterial duriense: que contributo para o desenvolvimento regional?

Abstract

Studies on the Douro Demarcated Region (DDR) usually focus on its landscape, its wines and especially on Port wine. However, there is also an exceptional economic, social, cultural, architectural and winegrowing heritage that justified its distinction as World Heritage.Despite the region's unquestionable potential and attractions, the obstacles to its development are manifold, including physical aspects but above all anthropic ones, amongst which we can mention an aged local population in decline, the lack of workers, or poor land use structure of the farms. Added to these, the region has poor internal access routes, institutional difficulties, deficient conservation of the architectural heritage and almost total disregard for the symbolical, the immaterial.This is the case of the popular festivals and pilgrimages that, although religious in nature, have significant cultural and social dimensions, as well as an important role to play in tourism. They serve not only to preserve traditions and customs but also contribute to understanding the collective past. These festivities are also essential to revitalise experiences because, although they pay tribute to a patron saint, they sustain dynamics in territories that are very often afflicted by a range of problems. It is in this context that we will explore Cambres, a rural parish of the Lamego council, where the Lord of Afflictions is worshiped, questioning the current territorial and social impact of these festivities, as well as strategies to implement sustainable development.