It is with regret that we have decided to cancel the 2020 edition of the Porto Design Summer School. Although a disappointing decision we believe it is the correct one in order to protect the interests of all involved and the integrity of the course.

Since observing the initial worldwide spread of the Covid 19 virus in late January and the subsequent declaration of a Pandemic, we suspected that the 2020 edition, although at that time five months away, would be in jeopardy. Amongst the uncertainty, and hoping for a clearer perspective, we waited as long as possible before making a final decision.

In addition to assessing conditions in Portugal (which has been hit less hard than many of our neighbours), we also had to consider the international situation and the fact that our participants come from all over the world. Even as we write it is not clear what the nature of international travel will be in July.

But an equally important criteria in our decision (if not more so) is that the summer school thrives on proximity in every sense, socially, intellectually and physically. Under the current government-mandated social distancing regulations and strict measures regarding indoor working – all of which we support – such proximity is not possible and therefore we believe that as a result the experience and dynamic of the summer school would be greatly diminished. We prefer instead to direct our energy towards planning for 2021.

All those who applied for this year’s edition and received acceptance will have a place reserved for them in the 2021 edition if they wish to take it up. For further enquiries please contact Andrew Howard at info@idiomatic.pt