bombarda
with open doors

1. Identification
1.1. Full name: Maria Adélia Moreira Carvalho
1.2. Creative field: Writing

Brief Introduction (Mini Biography)

Adélia Carvalho was born in Vila Cova, a small village in Penafiel, in the Porto district. The youngest of seven sisters, she grew up enchanted by the stories told by her maternal grandfather — the first to awaken in her a love for imagination and words.

In the frequent absence of her mother, who worked outside the home, she found companionship in the animals that followed her — cats and dogs she often hid and secretly fed.

She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the School of Education in Porto and has dedicated herself to the world of words and childhood. She is currently the author of over thirty children's and young adult books and works as a literary festival programmer.

She co-founded the publishing house Tcharan with illustrator Marta Madureira and opened the Papa-Livros Bookstore in Porto — a meeting place for readers, authors, and stories.

Her books have been translated into several languages and published in countries such as Italy, Germany, Spain, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, and she is a regular presence at book fairs and literary festivals both in Portugal and abroad.

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Portfolio / Work Samples

Links to External Portfolios

🌐 https://www.tcharaneditora.pt/
🌐 https://papalivros.pt/

Instagram:

• @adelia.carvalho.758
• @papalivroslivraria
• @onomatopeia_festival
• @papalivroseventos

Mini Interview

Q: How, when, and in what context did the Papa-Livros bookstore and Tcharan publishing house come to be?
A: In November 2008, after years of teaching at various schools, I decided to open a space where literature could grow alongside its readers. That's how, in Porto, Papa-Livros was born — a bookstore dedicated to children and young adults.

The opening featured a very special godmother: writer Matilde Rosa Araújo, whose presence marked the beginning of a project deeply connected to picture books.

Since then, the bookstore has been the stage for book launches, presentations, and illustration exhibitions, always with the same mission: to believe that reading is a portal to imagination and to provide readers — young and old — with the magic of each page.

Two years later, in 2010, Tcharan emerged — a publishing house focused mainly on picture books and children's literature. The first book published was The Bossy Crocodile and, since then, the list has only grown.

The name "Tcharan" came about spontaneously, among friends, ideas, and chance. A challenge was set to find a name and someone said, jokingly: "Tcharan!". After many suggestions, I realized the answer had been there from the beginning — in the very word that started the game.

"Tcharan" stayed, and continues to reflect the spirit with which everything began: wonder, discovery, and the joy of the book world.

Q: Of all your books, which one is closest to your heart, and why?
A: The Bossy Crocodile — it was the book that gave rise to everything: the desire to create a publishing house with Marta Madureira and to continue telling stories with freedom and imagination. It opened the first door… and many others followed.

Q: What is the greatest privilege your profession brings you?
A: The greatest privilege is never becoming stagnant. The world of books and culture keeps me always in motion — meeting people I admire (and others I come to admire), sharing knowledge, learning every day.

And, in the midst of all this, making new friends is what gives strength and meaning to my path.

Q: Tell us what you usually have on your desk on a perfectly normal day.
A: Books — always a pile of books that changes with the days.

A glass full of pens and pencils, my Moleskine notebook with notes and to-do lists, a mug of coffee or tea, the computer, the phone, and, of course, my calculator.

There are also apples and dried fruits — cashews, walnuts… small energy reserves to accompany the ideas.

Q: What led you to establish Papa-Livros in Bombarda in 2008?
A: I chose Rua Miguel Bombarda because, even at that time, it had a very strong cultural identity, marked by art galleries and lively openings.

It was (and continues to be) an area where new aesthetics, design, and creative thinking coexist, with shops and projects that breathe art and contemporaneity.

All of this aligned with the audience I sought for Papa-Livros: curious, sensitive, and open to the world of ideas and imagination.

How to Collaborate / Request Services

PAPA-LIVROS

• Book sales
• Illustration sales
• Organization and curation of literary and artistic events, such as:
  • Literary Festivals
  • Illustration Parties
  • Author Meetups
  • Moderation of Talks
  • Storytime sessions and sessions in schools, libraries, etc.
  • Book Presentations
  • Illustration Exhibitions
• School Visits:
  • Schools and Preschools — from age 3, with storytime or illustration workshops
  • Secondary and Higher Education — visits and talks about illustration and publishing

Contacts:
📧 papa.livros1@gmail.com / encomendaspapa.livros@gmail.com
🌐 https://papalivros.pt/
📞 +351 220 931 549

TCHARAN

• Book Publishing
• Graphic Design Production
• Book Layout
• Representation and Artistic Commissions in illustration and writing
• Creative Writing Workshops

Contacts:
📧 tcharan.editora@gmail.com
🌐 https://www.tcharaneditora.pt/
📞 +351 220 931 549

The Bombarda Podcast is a series created by the Bombarda Digital team that gives a voice to those who make Quarteirão a true creative laboratory — between art, commerce, and community.

In the second episode of the Bombarda Podcast, we enter the universe of new entrepreneurs who are redefining what it means to have a creative business in Quarteirão. With Liliana Alves (Época) and Jorge Azevedo (Cave Bombarda), in a conversation moderated by André Ramos, co-founder of Scar ID, we explore how a new generation is joining forces, reinventing practices and keeping Bombarda's collaborative spirit alive.

Episode Details

Central theme: Contemporary entrepreneurship in Bombarda — collective, conscious and resilient.
Guests: Liliana Alves (Época), Jorge Azevedo (Cave Bombarda)
Moderator: André Ramos (Scar ID)

Key quotes

• ‘It's an evolution and a very beautiful identity that is created in many projects in this neighbourhood.’
• ‘There are customers who have become friends. There are very, very strong relationships that come from this open door and from people joining our project.’
• ‘I think it was a renunciation of study and a search for a daytime space, with simple food and where there could be an informal relationship with the people who brought this type of relationship.’

Why listen

Because Gerações Novas, Lutas Antigas shows the human and inspiring side of those who undertake with purpose. A realistic and affectionate portrait of Bombarda — made of collaboration, creativity, and a collective spirit that transforms challenges into opportunities.

Welcome to the Bombarda Podcast — a series born out of the collective work of the Bombarda Digital team, continuing a movement that connects those who live, work, and visit the Bombarda neighbourhood.

In this episode, Ana Silva (Copo D’Uva) and Ema Ribeiro (Ó! Galeria) share with Dora Gonçalves, senior technician at the Municipal Trade Division of Porto City Council, what really happens behind the shop windows. Between conversations about stock management, seasonality, suppliers and digital channels, they reveal the less visible — and often more demanding — side of keeping a shop alive in a neighbourhood where commerce is also culture.

Episode Details

Central theme: The invisible work that sustains Bombarda's creative and commercial ecosystem.
Guests: Ana Silva (Copo D’Uva), Ema Ribeiro (Ó! Galeria)
Moderator: Dora Gonçalves (CMP)

Key quotes

• “After 40 or 50 years, we found two businesses from different generations in the same shop.”
• “I want to showcase as much as possible the work of illustrators and illustration that is being done around the world.”
• “When traders and shopkeepers come together, they form a close-knit community that is the soul of the Arts District.”

Why listen

Because Uma Loja Invisível reveals the beating heart of Bombarda — made up of dedication, strategy and creativity. An essential episode for anyone who loves the neighbourhood, supports local businesses or simply wants to understand what keeps the soul of cities alive.

Fernando Santos, a gallerist with roots in Amarante, was born into an environment immersed in art — his father collaborated with the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum, which sparked his early interest in visual culture. At the age of 22, he opened the first contemporary art gallery in Amarante. In the late 1980s, he joined Galeria Nasoni, where he spent seven years — a time he describes as a true “university.”

In 1993, he launched his own gallery in Porto, and later in Lisbon as well.

Today, Galeria Fernando Santos is a national reference point, a symbol of persistence and vision, and a key part of the formation of the Quarteirão das Artes (Art District) on Miguel Bombarda Street.

Career and Creative Identity

Q: Fernando, tell us — who is the man behind Galeria Fernando Santos?

A: I’m someone who enjoys what I do. I was born connected to the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum in Amarante, and I’ve developed this project over nearly 40 years, always with passion. The close relationship with artists and collectors has grown stronger over time.

Q: What influence did your father’s work at the Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso Museum in Amarante have on your artistic path, especially within a different artistic movement: contemporary art?

A: I grew up in that institutional setting. My father brought me very close to the museum, and it was there that my love for art was born. Without that, I might never have chosen this profession. Culture requires work and persistence. Cultivating a taste for collecting is a process of trust — and the gallery has carried out that work seriously, alongside artists and collectors.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about the work that’s been done between the gallery, artists, and collectors?

A: I started in Amarante, then moved to Galeria Nasoni — a very important project where I spent seven years. Later, I settled on Miguel Bombarda Street, where I’ve been since 1997. I also had a gallery in Lisbon but decided to focus on Porto. Today we occupy an entire block and provide a real cultural service to the city.

Q: I read in an interview with “Arte Capital” that your collaboration with Galeria Nasoni was your passport into the “Invicta City” (Porto). Why do you describe this gallery as a true “university”?

A: Because there are no schools for training gallerists. You learn through direct contact with artists and collectors. Galleries are the real schools, where team members gain experience before creating their own spaces or moving on to work in museums and institutions.

Q: What was in the mind of a young man who, at 22, decided to open his own art gallery? What were your aspirations back then?

A: It happened by chance and opportunity. In 1993, the gallery was located on Rua D. Manuel II, but Miguel Bombarda Street had available spaces at affordable prices. I moved here around 1997.

Miguel Bombarda and the Start of a Movement

Q: You’re considered a pioneer in this area. How did the process of attracting colleagues to form what we now know as the “Art District” happen?

A: The process was natural. There were vacant spaces, and other gallerists eventually joined in. Over time, the city reinvented itself. The title “Porto Capital of Culture” gave a huge boost, and tourism also helped. But for there to be tourism, there must be culture — and it's our job to offer quality proposals so that those who visit leave with a good impression of the city.

Spaces and Accessibility

Q: The gallery has grown and interconnected several spaces — Project Room, CUBO, Espaço 531. What motivated you to expand?

A: The expansion came after a 15-year wait until we found the ideal space. Today, the gallery covers about 1,200 square meters. We unified the spaces to enhance the exhibition experience. We can’t stand still — there are always new projects underway.

Art, Community, and Urban Culture

Q: You've said the relationship between artist, gallerist, and collector is almost like family. How do you build those bonds of trust?

A: By being honest and consistent; trust takes time to build. Beyond exhibitions, we promote gatherings, talks, and collaborations with museums and art centers in various cities. These partnerships strengthen the art scene and bring people together.

Q: Do you envision a museum of Portuguese contemporary art that does justice to what’s being produced today?

A: No, I’ve never thought about that (laughs). The gallery already functions as an active art center, with exhibitions and events throughout the year. I’m also a collector, and my focus is on balancing good investments with good art.

Recent Challenges

Q: How has Galeria Fernando Santos' recent experience at ARCOlisboa 2025 been? After all, in 2024 you attended and “sold almost everything.” What’s your assessment this year?

A: We’ve been participating in art fairs for many years. They’re unique opportunities to promote artists, meet new collectors, and understand what’s happening in contemporary art. ArcoLisboa is now a benchmark event, with strong international presence and excellent networking opportunities. I recommend everyone to visit art fairs — it's the best way to understand the current art scene.

Looking Ahead

Q: What do you see for the Art District in 5 or 10 years?

A: I’d like the city council to make the street more pleasant and accessible — maybe pedestrian-only, with wider sidewalks. Right now, cars are parked on the sidewalks, and mobility is poor. Creating culture means bringing people into the streets, and we need the conditions for that: accessible, safe spaces where families and children can move around comfortably.

Q: What are your plans for Galeria Fernando Santos?

A: To continue doing what we’ve been doing: supporting artists, energizing the Art District, and making the city more appealing. Educating people about art is our contribution, so that Porto understands us, visits us, and welcomes us.

As you walk down Miguel Bombarda Street, Fernando Santos’ legacy is clear: more than a gallery, it’s a space for encounters and discoveries. Thirty years on, Galeria Fernando Santos continues to pulse with energy — between tradition and innovation, established artists and emerging ones.

The true impact lies in human relationships, in the community built, and in how an entire district reinvented itself around it. For Fernando Santos, running a gallery is, above all, about cultivating a family — and art is the bond that unites us.

Galeria Fernando Santos website: https://galeriafernandosantos.com/