For years, residents and visitors to Pico Island have come to expect a colorful publication dedicated to the arts, culture, events, and cultural routes that help define the island’s vibrant creative landscape. More than a simple events guide, the MiratecArts magazine has evolved into an essential cultural companion, documenting artistic activity while highlighting the people, projects, and ideas that continue to shape contemporary Pico.

This month, the publication reaches a remarkable milestone with the release of its 50th edition.

Produced by the cultural association MiratecArts, the magazine has become a familiar presence throughout the island, offering readers not only detailed programming information but also editorial content that celebrates local artists, cultural movements, and the unique creative energy of Pico.

“Getting each issue to publication day is not always easy,” admits Terry Costa, President and Artistic Director of MiratecArts. “Since the association was founded in 2012, we began with one or two editions a year. In recent years, however, we have been publishing an average of four to five editions annually. Every issue represents a challenge. It is a significant investment, but a necessary one. Even in the digital era, much of our audience still prefers to hold a printed publication in their hands.”

The 50th edition arrives at the beginning of the 2026 summer season and is largely dedicated to showcasing the rich calendar of cultural activities taking place across Pico Island in the months ahead.

Among the featured programs is Música no Forte, the popular series of sunset concerts held on Sunday evenings, as well as Lavadias, the island’s celebrated outdoor film festival. The publication also highlights the Azores Birdwatching Arts Festival, which this year once again places the municipality of Lajes do Pico at the center of a unique intersection between art, nature, and environmental awareness.

In addition to festival programming, the magazine includes information on independent cultural events, the continuation of the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Madalena Auditorium Library, and updates on the Curta Pico Short Film Prize and the annual Photography Competition.

The publication is also known for its extensive visual content, featuring photography, cultural recommendations, and curated itineraries that encourage readers to explore the island through an artistic lens. This edition includes routes dedicated to Helena Amaral’s Stone Smiles, Pico’s historic windmills, the Madalena Public Art Route, and the MiratecArts Galeria Costa, whose newest installation by Dutch artists Marjella Vermazeren and Mart Jansen of Barro & Barro is featured prominently on the cover.

“The MiratecArts magazine has become the artistic and cultural bible for many residents and visitors to Pico Island,” says Terry Costa, emphasizing the publication’s role as both an information source and a cultural archive.

Over the years, the magazine has chronicled the evolution of one of the Azores’ most dynamic cultural organizations. What began as a modest publication has grown into a significant platform for cultural communication, helping connect audiences with events, artists, and opportunities while documenting the continuing growth of Pico’s creative sector.

Supported by the Regional Directorate for Culture of the Government of the Azores and by private-sector advertising partners, the magazine is distributed throughout cultural venues across Pico Island and is also available in digital format.

As MiratecArts celebrates the publication of its 50th issue, the milestone serves as more than a publishing achievement. It represents fourteen years of sustained commitment to cultural development, community engagement, artistic visibility, and the belief that even on a small Atlantic island, culture deserves not only to be created and celebrated, but also recorded for future generations.

The newest edition is available throughout Pico Island and online through MiratecArts, continuing a journey that has helped make culture more accessible, visible, and connected across the Azores.

Based on information provided by MiratecArts.