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Juliana is more than a project; it is a journey into memory, flavour, and tradition. At its heart are eight women, guardians of unique soup recipes, whose lives stretch across eight regions of mainland Portugal, the Azores, and Madeira. Through their hands and their words, we glimpse the everyday rituals that have long nourished families and communities.

This is a tribute to the knowledge and flavour of the Portuguese Mediterranean Diet: to the people, the landscapes, the secrets and traditions that have always shaped a way of eating — healthier, simpler, and accessible to all.

Juliana is a Born project, commissioned and created by the Jerónimo Martins Group. A photography book was released and a photography exhibition opened at Terreiro do Paço square, making these stories and faces visible to all who passed by an invitation to rediscover the timeless essence of Portuguese food culture. The project culminated in a conference on the Portuguese Mediterranean Diet, held at Lisbon City Hall on October 16th, World Food Day. The event brought together the Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences of the University of Porto, under the scientific patronage of the Direção-Geral da Saúde.

This photography project evolved in parallel with the making of a Documentary: Juliana produced by Bro Cinema and directed by Pedro Patrocínio. Developed under the restrictions of the COVID pandemic, it was a true challenge to build close and meaningful relationships with the participants. That it became possible is due to the remarkable dedication and professionalism of the Bro production team.

* Drone Photography by Artur Carvalho, Born Agency.