Aveiro recently gained a special touch of creativity thanks to the "Streets of Artistic Intervention" (Ruas de Intervenção Artística) project, an initiative by Agora Aveiro aimed at revitalising local commerce through art.

The project, which took place in recent weeks, and had its highpoint on July 20th, brought a breath of fresh air to Aveiro's less central streets, connecting local artists with shopkeepers in areas less frequented by tourists. The goal was clear: to give visibility to both the region's artistic talent and local businesses facing challenges due to the concentration of tourism in specific areas.

The reception was warm from all involved. Participating shopkeepers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to highlight their establishments. "It's a way to give visibility to local commerce", commented one of the merchants. With the increase in tourism in Aveiro, more peripheral shops have felt the impact of visitors' preference for shopping centres or shops on established tourist routes.

The artists, in turn, saw the project as a valuable platform to showcase their work and demonstrate the power of art as a catalyst for positive change in the community. "The visibility of art's importance as a force promoting commerce and word transmission was greatly appreciated", reported one of the organisers.

Although the influx of new visitors was lower than expected, the project had a significant impact on the local community. Surprisingly, it was the older residents who showed great enthusiasm, thanking the initiative for bringing joy to their streets and the businesses they faithfully frequent.

"I'm convinced it's a promising project", stated one of Agora Aveiro's coordinators. "As soon as it starts to gain some prominence, I believe artists will come to us to participate. The artistic culture and local commerce deserve to be recognised and valued."

"Streets of Artistic Intervention" not only beautified the city but also strengthened community bonds, proving that art can be a powerful tool for urban and economic revitalisation.

“Ruas de Intervenção Artística” is part of the "I Love Aveiro" project from Agora Aveiro. It was organised in partnership with Bairro Vivo and hadthe support from the Aveiro City Halland the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth, I.P.