The Vinum vita est – CULTURAS DA VINHA E DO VINHO: ENTRE O MEDITERRÂNEO E O ATLÂNTICO (Vinum vita est – Cultures of vines and wine: between the mediterranean and the Atlantic) arises from the interest shown by the municipality of Madalena, on the island of Pico, in promoting reflection on the theme of vineyards and wine within the context of the dynamism that this region of the country has acquired in this area and which has been a territorial landmark ever since its first settlement. The aim of this scientific meeting is to address this theme, across time and geographic space, emphasising the encounters between distinct cultural territories.

This initiative, organised by the IEM and IELT research units of FCSH NOVA and by Universidade Aberta, falls under the auspices of a project on wine and vine cultures, covering different initiatives related to the theme under development by members of the aforementioned research units and receiving support from the International Network of Small Cities in Time.

This activity aims to:

1) develop the multidisciplinary character of IEM initiatives (encompassing not only the scientific areas present in the units core research competences but also others from fields such as agronomy, oenology, ethnography);

2) extende the Institute’s initiatives to new municipalities, besides those have already established partnerships with the IEM;

3) consolidate the IEM aim of involving local communities, particularly the smaller sized populations, in scientific/cultural events.