Eugénia Maria Gonçalves Duarte was born in Portela de São Faustino, in the parish of São Sebastião — Loulé.
As a baby, she accompanied her parents in emigration to France, where she grew up, studied and developed her career as a kindergarten teacher.
On holidays in Portugal, she watched with delight her mother and grandmother working the palm, dexterously braiding carrycots and various traditional utensils.
Later, already retired and returning to her origins, she decided to dedicate herself to the art she had always admired. She participated in an empreita course promoted by Loulé Criativo, guided by trainer Sónia Mendez, and quickly joined Casa da Empreita, where she practices and perfects her work with enthusiasm, also valuing the conviviality and sharing of knowledge with other artisans.
Motivated by pride in the traditions of the Algarve, Eugénia Duarte has already begun to transmit her knowledge to her granddaughter, who lives in France and shows great interest in this artistic heritage, thus ensuring that the legacy of the enterprise continues to pass from generation to generation.
