Today I had the opportunity to meet Luis. Luis has lived in this old mountain village near Oleiros for 6 years. Two older sisters, aged 93 and 95, live next door to him. Two other buildings are run by owners at weekends and during holidays. The rest are ruins.
The gardens around the village are cultivated with potatoes, olives, figs, oranges, quinces, cabbage and lettuce.
A stream runs through the village. The old village centre has a well with spring water from the hill above.
All in all, an idyll waiting to be revived.
The municipality of Oleiros is interested in revitalising the village. There is high-speed internet, electricity and water. The road to the village is well developed.
But how can it be used in the future? Are there people who have the time, inspiration and economic means to renovate and put it to good use?
Luis can tell a few stories about the place. He would like to see it revitalised, just like the two old ladies. But the owners of the ruins are not very interested in investing, instead they want to sell the ruins to the best bidder.
Luis is now going to sell his house along with 6 other ruins. He has tried, but Covid, private changes and the lack of help from neighbours have now driven him to new dreams.
What if communities could organise such projects in a cooperative form?
A dream of the future
Oleiros 21. Nov 2023 REH
PÁGINA INICIAL – MUNICÍPIO DE OLEIROS | Município de Oleiros (cm-oleiros.pt)
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Impressions
