Rio de Janeiro has gone through a large scale transformation in the run up to the World Cup 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games. A period accompanied by budget cuts in housing, security, and in the health care system. While the world watched the Olympics, according to official records, homicides rose 20% and muggings by 40%. Why is the finance of sports mega-events driving cities towards bankruptcy? JCP

Each summer, Galicia and Portugal’s countryside are set ablaze with bushfires. In Spain, WWF estimated 59,065.74 ha of burned land in 2016 alone. Most of the wildfires are caused by human action and often start in the outskirts of the villages. FC

March 22nd 2016. A refugee is helped by other refugees after attempting suicide by setting himself on fire at the Idomeni border in Greece. In March 2016 some E.U. countries closed their borders across the so-called Balkan route. In despair, many refugees attempted suicide while others decided to return to their countries in spite of the armed conflicts. GT

To become a commando trooper in Portugal cadets go through a demanding military training pushing them to the limits both physically and psychologically. On average, only 25% reach full completion. Two trainees died of heatstroke during Course 127 when daily temperatures hit 40C. Months prior, I had been exceptionally allowed to accompany the training. The Portuguese Commandos’ war cry is named ‘Mama Sumae’ which means ‘here we stand, ready to sacrifice’.  TM

Close to the people and still standing there, only now as the President of the Republic. Never backing away from a kiss or a hug, Marcelo led the campaign with ‘affections’ and by ‘bridging left and wright’, eventually pulling off a win at first round with 52% of the votes. At the age of 67, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is the most popular Portuguese President of all times. JCC

Tourism in Lisbon’s city centre has skyrocketed over the last few years and new businesses have seemingly boosted the economy. But in the outskirts of the city many tenants, most of African descent, live in deplorable housing conditions. Amadora municipal authority is implementing a policy of evictions and demolitions without securing alternative housing to these people. Many families are sleeping rough on the streets waiting for help from family or friends. 

“Archipelago” is about authentic people in their real contexts in a particular insular African region of meagre natural resources. A plunge in two islands of the archipelago named after a nation: Cape Verde. Developed between the spring of 2015 and the winter of 2017, in the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão. The result is a portrait, with no filters or illusions, of a young nation celebrating forty years of independence. JF

A record about the making of a dance performance with 18-30 year olds inmates at Santa Cruz Prison, developed under the ECAR project by Pele association. Using improvised dance as a language, sequences emerge as stories – about movement, strength, fragility, error, and overcoming the odds. ‘Solitude’, ‘rage’, or ‘sadness’ were worked throughout the sessions – words that materialised some of the living images and rap lyrics created by the inmates. PP

Festival Paredes de Coura is the Coura River. The sands along the banks draw us to nature and we find ourselves wrapped in the peacefulness of this dreamy landscape. We’re at the other side of the Festival – near the sweet waters, even if nobody can really tell how clear they are. AM

Need sharpens the mastery. The anxiety of crossing Kruger Park without the proper equipment calls for some basic concepts of photography. That was how I came up with this idea of taking pictures with my iPhone placed behind the binoculars so kindly lent by a lady in the rear seat. AB

September 6th 2016. The small village of Soajo in the Peneda Gerês National Park is evacuated after a fire alarm. More than 2,000 firefighters try to control the flames. In three days, around 5,000 ha had burned in one of the largest green lungs in Portuguese territory. The region has a wealth of forests hard to human access, a characteristic that often hampers fire control operations. GD

“Dopo Roma” was thought as a continuation of Jesús Mondriñán’s concerns. He routed Roma’s clubs for a year armed with focus lenses, a tripod, and a large format analog camera. When night turns to day at the doorstep of a bar, the improvised photography studio draws in everyone around to participate. JM

A report made in May in the parish of Santo Isidoro, Marco de Canaveses, during the annual celebrations in honour of Santo Isidoro. The horse race was the tipping point of the festivities. While jockeys prepare, caretakers try to calm down the animals. ”Respect for the horse is the foundation of freedom”. The atmosphere builds up in a frenzy beehive while people make their bets and discuss about the best breeds and runners. OP

Accompanied by his brother Olivier, the 20 year old Juan Luis Marfil, who suffers from cerebral palsy, set out from Roncesvalles (Granada) on the 13th of September 2016 to claim “A Path without limits”. This Camino de Santiago is a special path suited for pilgrims in wheelchairs. Juan Luis routed 800 km helped by his brother and other pilgrims on the way. Upon arrival at Praça do Obradoiro, an overwhelming emotion pours out from all his suffering. XAS