Date
18/5/2026

Between 11 and 15 May, the School of Applied Arts (ESART) at the Castelo Branco Polytechnic (IPCB) hosted the second phase of an international project that brought together 37 European students and lecturers, with the aim of digitally transferring the silk life cycle to the traditional Castelo Branco embroidery.

Coordinated by lecturers Ana Margarida Fernandes, Olga Freixo and Magda Mendes, this Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), funded by Erasmus+, aimed to promote an understanding of circular design applied to the textile sector.

The course combined an online component, held on 5 May, with an intensive week of face-to-face sessions in Beira Baixa. During this period, students explored topics such as sustainability in the textile industry, the silk life cycle and digitisation processes.

At ESART-IPCB, participants from eight countries (Portugal, Slovenia, Albania, Italy, Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland) and universities (University of Maribor, University of Polis SHPK; Universita Degli Studi di Bergamo, Caucasus University, West University of Timișoara, St. Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo, University of Oradea, WIT Academy) were challenged to create patterns inspired by the region’s traditional embroidery, adapting them to technological and contemporary processes.

The workshops covered digital design and artificial intelligence applied to creativity and innovation in the textile sector. On the practical side, students took part in workshops, creative exercises and laboratory activities where they learnt sublimation and hand-embroidery techniques, applied to the creation of personalised bags.

The programme also included a cultural component with guided tours of the Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum, the Castelo Branco Embroidery Interpretation Centre and Barrocal Park, as well as a boat trip through the Portas de Ródão.

The event concluded with a photographic exhibition documenting the week’s work and the opening of the exhibition showcasing the projects developed.