On the Tour of Portugal with Science

Over ten stages, starting in Oliveira de Azeméis and ending in Lisbon, this will be a journey of knowledge and learning about the territory, its landscapes, its people, its culture and its traditions.

Territory, Heritage, Health, Innovation, Literature, History, Music, Sport, Gastronomy and Arts and Crafts are the themes that fill the Stages of Knowledge, revealing the presence of science along the way: in history and heritage, in the technology it develops, in equipment and also in the environment, in local cultures and in the organization of the territory.

As part of Portugal's commitment to training, science, culture and knowledge, the initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education (MCTES), aims to promote knowledge of the Portuguese territory and its cultural, natural, scientific and technological heritage; to showcase the technological innovations that link higher education institutions to the companies and regions where they operate; to raise awareness of the responsible use of natural resources; and to stimulate social, scientific, economic and cultural innovation.

The Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta is a unique sporting event, due to the shared emotions it generates, the proximity it maintains with local populations and the festival of itinerant entertainment during the stages. By associating science and knowledge with the main event in national cycling, the development and enhancement of national identity will be stimulated.

The Volta ao Conhecimento. Because the Tour has Science was presented on Friday, July 22, at the Thalia Theater, by the Secretary of State for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Maria Fernanda Rollo. It was attended by the Secretary of State for Energy, Jorge Seguro Sanches, the President of RTP, Gonçalo Reis, the President of the Portuguese Cycling Federation, Delmiro Pereira, the Director of the Volta a Portugal, Joaquim Gomes, the Representative of the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, Manuel Assunção, and the President of the Higher Council of Polytechnic Institutes, Joaquim Mourato.

During the press conference, there was an exhibition of equipment belonging to well-known figures in Portuguese cycling, such as Joaquim Agostinho's yellow jersey and the bike used by Alves Barbosa in the Tour. There was also a 3D printer on site which designed and produced a bicycle, as an example of the innovation and technology developed in the research units of higher education institutions.

On the website www.voltaaoconhecimento.pt you can consult the route and themes of the Knowledge Stages. The initiative will also be on the social networks Facebook and Twitter.

Tour of Portugal | Tour of Knowledge. 

Because the Tour has science.