With the certainty that the Arts must be at the service of the Communities, UMBILICUS is the opportunity to strengthen and enhance the best that stem from the CCIs, defending as its overarching objective, a powerful sustainable development for Territories, but more importantly, its People. And firmly raising this as our flag, this Cultural Producer, specialized in Cultural Mediation, creates and supports multiple synergies between different artistic languages and the places where each one blooms
National
Portugal
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It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
As an individual
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Yes
New European Bauhaus or European Commission websites
Guided through the belief that the various fields that compose the Cultural and Creative Industries sector can, in the most faithful manner, mirror The truth of our society, revealing its core-values — from the good to the poor, but also from whatever restrict us, makes us proud and, in fact, what makes us who we are; because “who we are” is the place where truly lies our major growth potential, both in social, environmental and economic contexts. Alongside to the latter, becomes undeniably fundamental the role that Tourism sector has provided to Portugal’s affirmation and placement on an international scale, evincing the real impact of an Identitary anchored strategy in local, regional and (trans)national economies.
Thus, in an era where imposed physical borders no longer dictate the specter nor the impact of any fostered envisioned dynamic, UMBILICUS emerges with the ultimate goal of responding effectively to the following: “Can Cultural-Artistic-based Entrepreneurship act as a potential driver for social and territorial development?”
As a Global Creative Boutique, UMBILICUS invests in the presentation and promotion of artistic individuals and objects —emergent or renowned—, emphasizing potencial synergies between the different artistic languages and the places (both physical and emotional) by each one promoted.
It therefore follows the two first core-based innovative and complementary ways of materializing this concept: the production and implementation of a non-seasonal cultural-artistic “road map” and the creation of a platform that not only stamps a memorable-and-sui generis-type of productions, but also acts as a facilitator birthplace for creatives and economic actors, for brands and life missions.
And considering the immenseness of valences, endogenous resources, natural and landscape contexts, (im)material heritage, traditions,..., becomes demonstrable how positively inexhaustible the plethora of opportunities intended to explore truly is.
Involvement ( uniting each voice to the roots of a greater Community)
Respect (standing up for the values and vitality that comes from the multitude of Visions)
Devotion (assuring each language, tradition or resource acts as spokesperson of our Identity)
Commitment (promoting Local Heritage as the ultimate bastion of Territory’s competences and experiences)
Originality (giving back to the Territory, and its People, all its singularity and differentiation)
Promoting the dialogue between the Cultural and Creative Industries and Tourism sectors, it is through our shared Identity — the one that claims for our cultural, heritage and natural legacy — that our differentiation factor is honestly achieved.
In this context, and in an harmonious triad, the intention is to reinforce relations and forge closer ties between Creatives, Economic Actors and other Territory Management Entities, aiming for a renewed Cultural-Artistic and Territorial fruition and promotion model.
Clarifying, through fostering the relations between:
— Creatives and Economic Actors and/or Other Management Entities (B2B- a bond that stimulates the production of original and customized content - introducing the figure of sponsors) and
— Creatives and Cultural Consumers (B2C)
Promotes the components of:
— E-business (in the sense that enhance clients acquisition and retention — the Artistic Community and their Public Audiences —, but also business partners — the full scope of entities, individual or collective, that wish to become part of the original productions implemented) and
— E-marketing (taking into account that through production and broadcasting of emotional and unique contents and products becomes possible, in a sustained and sustainable way, the optimization of the connection between UMBILICUS brand and its target audience (namely, the Artistic Community, the Cultural Consumer and the Touristic Community).
The world that welcomes us today, a world so bluntly driven by the so-close-reminder of the true meaning of “limitation”, unravel us how significant is the power of The Experience in the context of selection and fruition of a given destination.
Although indubitable the tenebrous impact that the lockdown period induced to the CCIs sector, became also irrefutable the resilient character by which this Community has always demonstrated — not only by that unshakeable rejection of any “weakening state”, but even more so by their ability of reinvention. This unnerving strength, of never giving up, of never succumb to the fear of the unknown, is precisely the reason why the CCIs Community, the one that UMBILICUS calls for, is one — if not The one — that is better fitted to restore to territories, with ambition, commitment, emotion and devotion all the uniqueness it deserves.
To talk about experiences, in a touristic approach, is talking about an immensity of Visions and ways of telling the stories that properly invite us to explore places, traditions, People.
In this sense, narrowing the ties between the creative power of one and the sense of belonging of other, promotes, in a sound way, a production environment absolutely authentic, special, inimitable, and, in a macro perspective, promoter of a sustained and sustainable development.
In every place, in every history and story, with each smile, in each pain, with every regard in each frame, a renewed opportunity to live and feel the time and the space that embrace us.
To UMBILICUS belongs the duty and mastery of making the connection between those who reveal the story, the others who (re)interpret it and, finally, the ones that that process relish.
UMBILICUS is a project made of People and for People that, in common, understand their cultural and historical heritage not only as a milestone, but also as a departing point for a new beginning — a new interpretation — of the social experience lived on the territory.
As one of the major barriers unveiled is the very faint articulation among territory’s different players. But in a coherent and responsible volte-face, UMBILICUS further consolidates this as one of its major strengths; communicating industries, businesses, economic actors in an original fashion, conferring upon them a promotional dynamic so far nonexistent.
In other respects, alongside the territory’s very own environmental and cultural treasures, emerges the opportunity of creating an eloquent road map that not only celebrates our urban environment, but also distinguishes our immersive, leafy and sweeping landscaping surroundings.
It should also be noted that, on a practical and technical approach, all audiovisual contents produced, as well as the digital Platform itself, foresee translation, sign language and audio-description, so no primary barrier deny the fortunate occasion of our Community prosperity.
At heart, UMBILICUS may very well defend itself as the fortunate opportunity of making and taking the unexpected to places and humans that, by their background, structure and potential, can only gain in welcoming moments and exchanges of purely emotional magic.
To raise a project substantiated in the identitary legacy of a given geographical context and/or anchored in a given socio-cultural characteristic, is to make a commitment to give the voice to those and to that that to its universe belongs. Is to make a genuine commitment to become eternal and immortal each part of Us that time insists on losing sight of. Is proving right the meaning, significance and indispensability of all our ancestral knowledges in our accelerated contemporaneity, because, after all, we have only arrived “here” because someone, somewhere in time, paved the way that truly allowed us here. And evidence of this, the power of any diaspora throughout this world evident.
Moreover, taking into consideration the fusion context that globalization imprints upon us, makes absolutely indispensable the implication and partnership with those regarded as Guardians of Local Identity, the guardians of each piece of History per kilometer travelled.
Is in the timeless know-how that the real treasure unveils. And is by the sharing of that legacy, that the true sense of belonging and representativeness is fulfilled.
In this context, becomes absolutely vital to UMBILICUS the engagement of all collectivities that devote themselves, day after day, to the preservation of these core values and knowledges.
Reviving the harmonious triad aforementioned (Creatives, Social and/or Economic Actors and other Territory Management Entities), UMBILICUS seamlessly implies each party in the success of its nature and strategy. Therefore, the idealization of each produced content and/or on-site dynamic is widely shared by each stakeholder that to UMBILICUS associates, not only on a practical level — in which, the definition of each objective, resource and valence that, to each entity, interests making known and promote —, but, similarly, on an emotional level — linking any given business, technique or legacy to a specific time and space.
Concurrently, and in the specific case of all entities responsible and with power competences over territory management, UMBILICUS still offers the opportunity for capacity building component and/or counseling services in the field of Community-based Mediation, aiming the empowerment of designated technical teams in that so very important competency towards an integrated territorial development (both in social and economic contexts).
To know how to involve others, promoting an open line for dialogue and the debate of important issues that implicate civil society presents not only as a duty, but also as an asset that every individual should be able to achieve. And at UMBILICUS, we take that necessity into something to perceive.
Starting from the premise that each produced content and/or on-site dynamic might implicate distinctive needs and/or resources (for instance, logistical or human resources, among others), it is, without a doubt, that the promoted ecosystem ranges between some specific disciplines and/or knowledges fields, namely:
— Cultural and Creative Industries sector ( integrating its full scope of knowledge fields);
— Tourism sector ( involving aspects of the entire value chain, from hospitality to restaurant and catering sectors, while bearing in mind the crucial importance of DMCs and Travel Agencies as well as the myriad of touristic experiences that each territory defends as identitary);
In this context is worth mention the presence of complementary disciplines implicated on the unrepeatable identity of each place (such as, for instance, Gastronomy, Winemaking, History, Agriculture, among others,…)
Furthermore, by investing in such a model, one that encourage and tightens healthy and constructive relations and partnerships — including, in this paradigm, the simplification of access to different actors and production methods, enabled by the centralization of all information in one Platform—, promotes, in the long run, an increase in demand across all knowledge fields.
Considering UMBILICUS placement and model of development, are identified a number of characteristics and differentiated benefits; on the level of its market, this proposal presents itself, and yet again, in a triad (specifically, market niche, local market and also global market — the latter being leveraged by the strong digital component expressed); on the level of its production context, UMBILICUS operates at an hybrid context (not only promoting singular and exclusive digital contents, but in parallel, inviting to visit in a completely immersive and sensorial experience throughout the territory(/ies). Last, but not least, by not depending on any type of anual calendar, UMBILICUS productions occur all year long, overtaking the immense barrier of seasonality so evident in this scope of action.
Just to wind up, it becomes crucial to underline the importance of this project on cross-sectoral development for territories; from creatives to the economic actors, from the already existing territory-based offer to the products (and sub-products) that from UMBILICUS action are created, its reliable to defend that this dynamic is designed to stimulate each parcel that makes whole each local economy, basing it on its expertise and know-how, its true roots, its People. And not only guiding this intention on a successful identification of territory’s most prominent pivots, but more so, supporting the creation of a collaborative network that encourages far more and better cultural, social and economic dynamics.
A creative economy is as vibrant as cooperative its economic sectors prove to be. And if there is a solution for each challenge, at UMBILICUS, each solution is treated by their first name.
Even though any production model implemented represents an absolutely unique and unrepeatable universe, the concept by which UMBILICUS is run, demonstrates an undeniable ability to scale any imposed physical borders.
To talk and celebrate Identity is, above any other, knowing and respecting each others differences and proudly understanding the best manner of documenting and (re)interpret them.
In this context, however, becomes immensely crucial capacitate all the teams involved as part of a salutary and stimulating context of Community-based Mediation dynamic.
Every individual is a universe in itself; to know how to meet his/her needs is to know how to effectively represent him/her.
A mission as challenging as profoundly inspiring!
Reaching this emotional final stage, becomes amenable to assert that UMBILICUS springs and blossoms from a genuine interpersonal commitment encouraged not only by society, but also from its environmental and contextual surroundings.
Embracing, in a resolutely way, the generality of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals defended by the 2030 United Nations Agenda, UMBILICUS wants to assert itself as a Platform of reference in building a fairer and truly inclusive ecosystem, But also, a place where transparence and creativity become the driving forces for progress.
In this sphere, it’s with awe we daily confront ourselves with a tragic downturn in population’s mental health; in an evil, democratic, silence, this scourge doesn’t look for social strata, level of education nor income group. It seeks for vulnerability and low empowering feeling; at heart, for an apparent lack of alternative hampered and provoked by this accelerated and individualistic context that rule us all. Withal, is in that same loophole brought by that “apparent state” of this misfortune that UMBILICUS action takes place: Through culture and the arts, through fostering that true sense of belonging, through boosting that resilience mindset that enables critical thinking, we want to create — and help establish the creation of — safe spaces for open dialogue, motivating and inspiring but, even more, fervently believe that “social prescribing” is the first tool to overcome stigma and regain the sense of meaning that only by social interaction and cooperation can be manifested. At heart, a local stimulus towards a global repercussion.
In essence,
At UMBILICUS we celebrate our diversity. And by our cultural and heritage legacies, we bring creatives and passionates closer to the roots of a Great Community. Our very own European Union, in all its potencial and superb majesty.
