Armando Faria has always listened to stories. The son of a miner from Pejão, he made his life in Porto, but his return to Castelo de Paiva brought with it the mission of preserving the region’s identity. He revitalizes the mining, bread, and paper routes, rescuing memories and traditions with the generosity of someone who knows that history only lives when it is shared.
He founded the Folgoso Association, where culture and nature intertwine, breathing new life into local symbols like broom, a plant of resilience and identity. At Octant Douro, the broom continues to tell its story – a tribute to the land, its people, and the knowledge that spans generations.
Armando Faria has always been fascinated by the stories of the past, collecting the memories of those who lived them. The son of a Pejão miner, he spent his professional life in Porto’s commercial sector, but retirement brought him back to his homeland. A dedicated researcher of Castelo de Paiva’s identity and history, he has helped develop the region’s heritage trails, including the mining, bread, and paper routes.A cultural reference and a guardian of collective memory, Armando Faria generously shares the knowledge he has gathered over a lifetime.He founded the Folgo Recreational, Cultural, and Environmental Association, which promotes local traditions, including raising awareness about the cultural and ecological significance of carqueja, the symbol of Octant Douro.
