Last week, the municipality of Lajes do Pico hosted 15 bird-themed events as part of the Azores Birdwatching Arts Festival.

The MiratecArts project is made possible in partnership with the Municipality of Lajes do Pico and aims to promote and encourage birdwatching in an educational way through the dynamics created by the arts.

The exhibition at the Dias de Melo Municipal Library, among books on the theme and works by various artists, included paintings by Sofia Santana. “Painting birds from the Azores is combining a love of painting, nature, and, of course, the Azores,” says the artist. “In addition to this, there is also the possibility of sharing these passions and raising awareness of their beauty, innate importance, and preservation. Being part of the Azores Birdwatching Arts Festival is the perfect way to bring all this together, to make it happen with Miratecarts and all the collaborators of this festival.”

Pianist Joana Gama presented her theatrical and musical project “Birds and Mushrooms” to two hundred children. Pedro Magano’s new film, “As Aves” (The Birds), premiered in the Azores during the festival. Nuno Gonçalves and Olivier Coucelos presented educational programs and field trips, and there was also the launch of two books, “Passarinhos dos Açores” (Birds of the Azores) by Sofia Goulart and Rúben Coelho, and “A Aventura do Jaime” (Jaime’s Adventure) by SPEA. Guides, nature wardens, and environmentalists led birdwatching events on the islands of Pico, Faial, Terceira, and São Miguel.

Among the dozens of bird species found during the various events, in addition to the very rare Botaurus lentiginosus, or American bittern, previously reported, Pascal Cortes had a good encounter with a snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis. The photos taken of new species, which are not yet part of the annual flag installation in the whaling village, will be added to future exhibitions.

“It was a week full of unique moments, discoveries, and smiles on many faces, from little ones to seniors,” admits the festival’s artistic director and founder, Terry Costa. “It’s inspiring. Birds inspire art, and art encourages us to observe the world around us.” The next edition of the Azores Birdwatching Arts Festival will change dates to September 21-27, 2026.

From MiratecArts

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks the Luso-American Education Foundation for their support.