Day of the Alphabets

The 'Day of the Alphabets' was a journey through the languages and calligraphies of the region. We started by visiting Arshpreet in Brejão. We were welcomed by the family with Coca-Cola and nuts in the living room. Arshpreet taught us how to write and say the Punjabi alphabet (Gurmuki). We were also joined by Daniel Wang, who danced with a red fan. We played with story-telling by whispering in two different languages into each person's ears. We then went to Odemira for a group session focusing on the Portuguese language. Among various games and arts activities, Nusaiba (who came to visit from Lisbon) took the opportunity to practice for her next Portuguese exam. She studied aloud for the group while everyone reacted with improvised movements. In that session, we also wrote words in different languages and alphabets on newspaper and magazine clippings as material to be used later in constructing this website. To end the day, we went for dinner in a Nepalese restaurant in São Teotónio. We replaced the restaurant's tablecloth with a sheet of paper. Throughout dinner, we wrote words and thoughts in different languages and alphabets and drew the conversations emerging at the table. This was our 'Dinner of Calligraphies'. In the end, José Torres, the designer of BOWING DOC, collected all this material to select and integrate into this website.

On this day, several participants took part directly in the construction of the BOWING DOC website. We did it through the sharing of a meal. At this calligraphy dinner, we felt a sense of comfort generated among us all. We reflected on the necessity of time together that enabled us to find a relaxing and intimate way amongst each other, where sharing a meal could also include writing and drawing on the restaurant's tablecloth.