The Sirius4all project, through Mapa das Ideias, aims to study the possibility of conceiving new narratives for "Europe" that go beyond the narratives that already populate the European space. We ask you: "What are the narratives of a Europe that creates trust, and hope, launches new horizons, and embraces both its long-time residents and newcomers?".

The world of Europeans has not always been limited to the barriers of the seas and the continent. It hasn't always allowed itself to be restricted by a recent past, heavy with tributes to the elders - of its elected representatives - light on the antiquity of so many others.

To this end, Sirius4all is launching five laboratories to rehearse these narratives—in Portugal, Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, and Italy—by activating artists who are residents, natives, or migrants in these countries.

The selected artists will have to produce and present new work in the country for which they were chosen. They will also have the opportunity to do so at events in the other participating countries, thus strengthening their network of contacts with artists and cultural organisations involved in this project.

Mapa das Ideias is looking for artists living in Portugal who feel the urge to contribute to the construction of a new vision of Europe, or who wish to share the one they have already encountered. Artists who want to reflect on their ‘encounter with Europe’ by looking at the connections that make the place of ‘old’ and ‘new’ Europeans common, who are inspired by the Present while respecting the Past.

This past, which has been the vocation of Mapa das Ideias for 25 years, grows richer as our societies change, as they diversify, because the Legacies that all these Europeans wish to preserve for their future generations are expanding.

More than two millennia ago, Hesiod wondered about the origin of what for him was the World: Greece. He didn't look for answers in the plains, mountains and seas; he sought them from the Muses. And from them, the song he received had a truth that was not exhausted among the Achaeans. Thus began his petition:

Tell how first the gods and earth came into being
And the rivers and the sea, endless and surging,
And the stars shining and the wide sky above;
How they divided wealth and allotted honors,
And first possessed deep-ridged Olympos.
Tell me these things, Olympian Muses,
From the beginning, and tell which of them came first.
(translation by Stephen M. Trzaskoma, R. Scott Smith, and Stephen Brunet)

Conditions

Artists participating in the Sirius4all project will be involved in activities to produce an artistic creation that explores the challenge of seeking a new narrative for Europe.

The artistic creation and production is financed by Mapa das Ideias with a one-off fee of €2,000.00, including VAT.

Two artists will be selected.

Submission of proposals 

We would like to receive an expression of interest of up to one A4 page:

• identify the research to be carried out to develop the concept for a new narrative of Europe;
• explain the artist's motivation for taking part in this project;
• defends the relevance of the theme or concept to the identity formulation of the European area;
• submit a short biography (maximum 150 words).

Only documents submitted in PDF format via the submission form.

Artistic disciplines: All forms of artistic expression are accepted.

Themes: Any topics proposed in the expressions of interest will be considered.

Deadline for expressions of interest: 10 April 2025.

Deadline for selecting artists: 31st May 2025

The selection will be made by a jury of five: artist Carlos Noronha Feio, curator Camila Maissune, curator André Quiroga from Força Motriz, professor and curator Lígia Afonso from the UNESCO Chair in Arts, Culture, Cities and Creativity Management at IPLeiria, and Joana Cavadas from Mapa das Ideias.

Proposals will be analysed according to the following criteria:

• originality of the concept proposal;
• coherence of the proposal with the theme in question;
• motivation for participation.