This past November 5 and 6, Tui hosted the international colloquium “O Caminho Português: passado, presente e futuro de uma singular rota jacobeia” (The Portuguese Camino: past, present and future of a unique Jacobean route) at the Camilo José Cela Sociocultural Space. The Comité Internacional de Expertos del Camino de Santiago (International Committee of Experts of the Camino de Santiago) coordinated the event, which was organized by Turismo de Galicia (Tourism of Galicia), a Galician government body, in partnership with Tui City Council. The initiative is part of the Plan Director dos Camiños de Santiago 2022-2027 (Strategic Plan for the Caminos de Santiago 2022-2027).
The centuries-old tradition of the Portuguese Camino and its growth prompted the colloquium, along with the 2027 Compostelan Holy Year and the 800th anniversary of the consecration of Tui Cathedral. In October, Enrique Cabaleiro, mayor of Tui, considered it an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of the growing number of pilgrims. Xosé Merelles, director of Turismo de Galicia, saw it as a step toward managing the Camino based on knowledge, heritage conservation and the quality of the pilgrim experience.
Merelles opened the proceedings at a session with Enrique Cabaleiro, José Manuel Carpinteira, mayor of Valença, and Antonio Valín, Bishop of Tui-Vigo. He highlighted Tui’s historical role and heritage, as well as the pioneering work of Maria da Graça Sánchez da Gama, who was honored at the colloquium. The speeches referred to the route as a “path of bridges”. Carpinteira spoke about the languages, the bridges and the river that have united the two cities for centuries, about the welcome given to those passing through and about cooperation within the Eurocity.
The program covered the history, culture and art of the Camino, its evolution in Portugal and Galicia and the economic impact on the regions. The certification of the Portuguese routes, the cathedral’s anniversary and Jacobean hospitality as intangible cultural heritage were also discussed. The first day ended with a visit to the church, and Friday was devoted to current and future challenges, with a panel on the Tui-Valença Eurocity, the closing lecture and the conclusions.
More than 20 speakers from Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany, Italy and Brazil took part. Among the institutions represented were Iscte – University Institute of Lisbon, the University of Minho, the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, the Portuguese Federation of the Camino de Santiago and the Associação dos Amigos do Caminho de Santiago de Viana do Castelo (Association of Friends of the Camino de Santiago of Viana do Castelo). Participation was free, and over 60 people registered to attend, including members of Jacobean associations and Camino tourism professionals, including from Portugal.
