What is knowledge? Where does it come from? How does it sprout and take shape in creativity, in human hands, in time, and flow into objects that whisper, all powerful? I had never seen this invisible thread of knowledge transmission at such close quarters until I found myself lost in conversation and total fascination at Manufactura das Tapeçarias de Portalegre (Portalegre Tapestries).

At ArtWorks, industry meets sculpture, while skilled artisans make artists’ remarkable ideas a reality. Since it started five years ago, ArtWorks has built up a surprising portfolio of artists, such as José Pedro Croft, Cabrita Reis, Fernanda Fragateiro, Grada Kilomba, Julião Sarmento and João Louro, not forgetting a new wave of up-and-coming figures, like Andreia Santana, Sara Bichão, Luisa Jacinto and Diogo da Cruz.

Pessoa, an Experimental Life is the result of 12 years spent trying to prove that Fernando Pessoa, Portugal’s most famous poet, had a life beyond his extensive oeuvre. Considered by many to be the finest and most comprehensive biography on the subject, Richard Zenith, a leading authority on all things Pessoan, reveals how the genius came to be, while highlighting the autobiographical aspects of his heteronymic experiment.

The true symbol of Portuguese identity is not the poet Camões, nor football, nor fado but none other than the humble cod (bacalhau). And it’s not unusual for those Portuguese abroad to miss their own family less than their favourite cod dishes, with 1,001 different recipes to choose from. The fish is also a big favourite for Christmas dinner, for rich and poor alike.

When I explain what I do, who I am, I often say how old the artistic milieu is. It begins in the Paleolithic period, at a time when society was structured very differently to today. There was a tribe that constantly moved from place to place, leaving its mark in the caves and places where it sheltered. Even in such a simple society, there were artists representing the life of their people, something they’ve been doing until now.

Where others see weeds, Alexandre Delmar and Maria Ruivo see edible and curative plants. And so Recoletora was born, a pilot-project that has produced a catalogue of wild plants that grow on wasteland. Alexandre Delmar’s a photographer and videographer, Maria Ruivo’s a graphic designer and creative director.

Kengo Kuma is certainly one of the most recognised and expressive Japanese architects today. His (re)interpretations of traditional Japanese architecture include dynamic surfaces, innovative structures, the use of sustainable materials, an original way of thinking about the relationship between light and space…

India and Africa may have defined Alexandra de Cadaval's career, but it’s Évora where she showcases the world’s arts and music. A love letter to diversity.

Although the title sounds like a contradiction in terms, for Viúva Lamego it makes perfect sense. At this century-old ceramics factory, there’s always time to talk to artists and achieve what’s best for their projects. Part factory, part studio, the secret of keeping young is a meticulous path of innovation.

One of the great advocates of the Portuguese Overseas Expansion, the second Viscount of Santarém was a pioneer in the study of ancient maps. This atlas is one of the most remarkable compilations of these instruments of navigation and wonder.

Five hundred years of Arab occupation left Portugal with a culinary legacy rich with coriander and citrus fruit, figs and almonds, stews and escabeches. To think that it’s been 13 centuries since Mediterranean cuisine first passed this way.

From cork oak forests to the world, the Portuguese company Sofalca has transformed what was once waste into one of design and architecture’s most exciting materials. Designed by Toni Grilo.

Michael de Brito's paintings are the product of detailed observations of domestic gatherings and scenes experienced and inspired by different types of love.

«I prefer to be connected to our roots, so not to lose the idea of what is ours». In 2015, Chef João Rodrigues felt he needed to better define the identity of the portuguese produce he used in his dishes.

After over a century in which concrete has become the go-to material in construction, cross-laminated timber has emerged as the most viable solution to make architecture and the building industry more sustainable.

THIS IS NOT A WHITE CUBE still has the lingering scent of wet paint. Located on Rua da Emenda, in Lisbon’s Chiado neighbourhood, this contemporary art gallery first opened its doors (and windows) in May this year, where visitors could see “In Memory We Trust”, a solo exhibition by the São Tomé and Príncipe artist, René Tavares.

“It’s the only way! If you think about it, a photograph is finished when it’s taken, a song is finished when it’s written, a sculpture is finished, a film is finished, but architecture waits. Because it’s a creative environment, it’s new space for occupants to come and fill it with the spirit it represents. Of course, architecture is always diplomatic and symbolic, and it’s mystical because it seems very abstract, straight lines, geometries and all those things.”

Sometimes described as the art of fine gold thread, the origins of filigree go back centuries. In Portugal, this traditional craft has forged its own indelible mark, becoming a national symbol in the process.

Apart from being Portugal’s number one beverage, coffee is also a culture with its own language and multiple meanings. Coffee the Portuguese Way helps illustrate the different aspects of this special relationship.

Pedro Cabrita Reis asks to be called simply Cabrita, a name that derives from the purification process applied to his work. Watch the interview here.