The Erasmus+ Project Unveiling the Arts and Works behind the MASKS, led by the University of Valladolid, has reached its halfway point and held its mid-term review in Bragança on August 26–27. The entire consortium, made up of twelve partners represented in Bragança, along with the project officer, Marta Pinto, who joined from Brussels, reviewed the achievements to date and organized the pending tasks to accomplish its most ambitious goal: to provide graduates from its training centers (three universities and two vocational training centers) as well as the general public with training in masks and craftsmanship.
The project coordination team explained how to manage a project with twelve very different partners from four countries, emphasizing that the key is strong dedication. They organize monthly consortium meetings, weekly meetings with the leader of the quality work package, biweekly meetings with the dissemination work package leader, maintain constant contact with partners, and ensure ongoing monitoring of the project’s administrative and financial matters. In addition, they have created a specific tool to track project progress by measuring the level of completion of tasks outlined in the proposal. Based on the analysis of results and comparison with the previous review, a report is issued every six months. This report is sent to the University of Valladolid Foundation, which manages the project’s financial allocations. The tool was developed and is managed by the partner responsible for quality, IDimás Gestión. Tasks are divided into global and specific categories.
Currently, the consortium is focused on the work package for content creation, which includes an online and practical training curriculum. This has involved the close participation of all partners and continuous monitoring by the coordinator. The curriculum outline includes: anthropology of masks, basic marketing and e-commerce techniques, fundamentals of digital design, digital tools, circular economy, environmental protection and occupational risk prevention, and waste management. The artisanal techniques related to masks to be offered include training in carving and carpentry, textiles, working with plant fibers, metallurgy, and knowledge of professional mask-making workshops.
The pilot phase of this training will begin at the end of October. During the recent transnational meeting, the consortium discussed the platform to be used, the dissemination campaign, student registration and monitoring, as well as evaluation and satisfaction assessment. Quality control will be structured through a specific evaluation, risk forecasting, analysis of strengths and weaknesses, online training, and mobility. This evaluation will begin once online training is launched, with follow-up taking place at least every two weeks.
Partners expressed a very positive assessment of the project’s progress so far, as mandatory tasks have been carried out with a series of improvements. In the coming months, the first academic publications related to the project will be released, and dissemination of mask culture will continue through conferences, workshops, and exhibitions.
The mid-term meeting of MASKS was very successful and helped strengthen ties within the consortium. Local organization was handled by the two Bragança-based partners: the Academia Ibérica da Máscara and the Brigantia ECO-Pack Chamber of Commerce. The partners also had the opportunity to appreciate the richness of the Trás-os-Montes masks thanks to a visit to the private collection of Roberto Afonso in Vinhais and the Iberian Mask Museum, directed by António Tiza. At the opening session, representatives of the Bragança City Council welcomed the partners and offered attendees a Porto de Honra. We are grateful for the splendid Portuguese hospitality.
Bragança meeting 26-28 august 2025
