Tribute by the Minho Business Association to the workers of Minho on the occasion of its second anniversary on May 26, 2023, under the presidency of Ricardo Costa. Inaugurated by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Ana Abrunhosa, and the Mayor of Viana do Castelo, Luís Nobre.

Twin Sculptures (Viana do Castelo, Braga)

Dedication, resilience, discipline, and a strong work ethic are characteristics deeply rooted in the workers of Minho, along with their pride in cultural heritage and identity. A profound connection with nature, nurtured by the close relationship with the land and sea, shapes their identity and influences their work practices. Simultaneously, local culture is kept alive through celebrations and festivals, which strengthen community bonds and honor both work and religious devotion.

The sculpture features a central piece standing 5 meters tall, composed of four vertical elements symbolizing the four seasons, unity, and verticality. These represent the path of sap from root to leaf, embodying the connection with the divine—a symbiosis of heaven and earth. This culminates in an illuminated tip that evokes spirituality and religiosity.

Each vertical element supports two diagonally positioned arms, symbolizing resilience, union, strength, and the dedication of the workers. These arms hold colorful ceramic pieces at their ends—24 in total—representing the 24 municipalities of Minho. The arms also support translucent glass panels, signifying vision and awareness of reality, even in adverse conditions, avoiding illusions and reminding us of the soul's existence.

The largest glass panel varies in color depending on the sculpture’s location: translucent green glass for the sculpture in Braga, and translucent blue glass for the one in Viana do Castelo, symbolizing the relationship between land and sea. The sculpture's base, shaped like a cross, evokes its roots.

A second piece, made of steel tubes mirroring the central sculpture, invites interaction. Its design and scale encourage observers to sit, reflect, or meditate on the meaning of WORK, stimulated by the visual cues of the central piece.

This secondary sculpture features a red acrylic panel at its end, illuminated to symbolize festivals, vitality, and life, as well as the beating heart. The red color evokes identity, rooted in tradition and connected to ancestry. It represents the lifeblood of the people, transmitting the cultural and historical heritage of Alto and Baixo Minho—two regions the sculptures symbolically unify and bring closer together.