Miranda do Douro: attracting young people to the village of Atenor

Tuesday, 10 April 2012 00:00

Atenor, a Transmontano town near Miranda do Douro, is an exception to the human “desertification” of the countryside, thanks to the retention of young couples in the land of traditions. In recent years, eight young couples settled in this village of little more than a hundred people, investing in professional innovative projects linked to the arts for traditional practices. The restoration of traditional houses, cultural enhancement and promotion of tourism in the village and its relationship to the “mirandês” culture were the keys to this local strategy. Living in the interior has its positive aspects, though there are difficulties. A return of people to the deserted streets is something that gives confidence in the future of the village.  Musician and anthropologist, Ricardo Santos, about 30 years old, turned his back to Lisbon and chose to live in quiet, closer to nature. “Whenever I emphasized smaller urban areas and for me what is quality of life you can find out more quickly here than in a large city,” justifies the bagpipe musician.