The intervention will be accompanied by the artist who designed the tiles in 1968, João Charters de Almeida, who visited the works, in progress since July and scheduled for completion in February 2022.

"I'm in heaven. If there's a sky, I'm there”, he said, currently 86 years old and visibly proud to see his work reclassified with respect for the original design.

At issue are 10 panels, four of which in the foundation's headquarters tower and six at the ground floor, which make a total of about 54,000 tiles, painted 53 years ago.

More than half a century later, and in view of the deteriorating conditions of the panels, the Cupertino de Miranda Foundation decided, with the support of the Vila Nova de Famalicão Council, to proceed with the complete restoration of the tiles, a work entrusted to the company Signinum, who is specialised in heritage restoration.

The work also has the scientific support of the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar/University of Aveiro, through Professor Ricardo Triães.

“We believe that this is the most opportune time for this restoration, taking into account the profound renovation of the square in the city's historic centre, which aims to make Vila Nova de Famalicão a more modern, functional city with a new offer for the its citizens and visitors”, says the foundation, in a statement.