The unidentifiable beauty of storytelling; Back-to-the-Land aspiring settlers in Central Portugal.
Over the past decade, a growing number of young, enthusiastic opportunity seekers from Northern Europe (when they come from Africa or the Middle East, they're called fortune seekers) have migrated to the rugged, rural landscapes of Central Portugal. Leaving behind the structured environments and stable jobs of their homelands, they’ve come in pursuit of a new lifestyle. one rooted in nature, sustainability, and self-sufficiency. This movement has sparked a unique cultural trend in Portugal's mountainous central regions, areas where land prices are low due to the ever-present risk of bushfires and the lack of decently paid jobs, although the new to-open, nature destroying lithium mines will be needing employees to do the dirty work. However, despite the romantic idealism that propels them, the reality these young pioneers face often proves far more complex than anticipated. Attracted by Portugal’s affordable land and warm climate, newcomers purchase plots in remote areas to esta...