Team
Esben Kølster
Esben is a nature lover by heart and comes from a family of pioneers in the Danish natural foods movement. Well-versed in organic agriculture and farm to table production of cider and beer, his passion for Portugal began long ago, but is only now beginning to bear fruits.
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Esben's healthy obsession with organic food and beer combined with his maker mentality has manifested itself in the creation of a trio establishments: bar, café and restaurant, all set together on a bustling sunny corner in Copenhagen.
He excels at building things from the ground up with his own hands; a visionary who invests his energy in creating a wholesome community.
He is also a multifaceted musician, and for decades has been assembling a deep collection of vintage electronic instruments, and it is this studio which lies at the heart of the creative atmosphere of Doze Galos.
Randolph Albright
Randy has called Portugal home for the last twenty years. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland and now a proud Portuguese citizen, he is currently focusing his energies on gardening, surfing, and cooking.
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Randy has lived in this valley since 2010, building the pioneer project House of the 3 Rabbits, with Sixten Kai Nielsen and Leslie Walton. Albright's strong local connections, and deep longstanding ties to Denmark shape his role as partner in developing Doze Galos.
A lifelong surfer, he holds a bachelor's in Art Theory and Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of Maryland and a master's in Product Design from Escola Superior de Arte e Design in Caldas da Rainha.Since meeting in 2003, Albright and Kølster have collaborated on multiple projects including renovations, gastronomic events, and musical experiments. Doze Galos unites their shared passions for collectivism, agriculture, gastronomy, and music in a unique residency on the west coast of Portugal.
Julie Anker
As our artist liaison and our social media manager, Julie helps us to keep the wheels turning, connecting our growing project with the world outside. Communicating with artists new and known is the understory of our growing community.
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Recently transplanted to Portugal, Julie joins the Doze Galos team following an exciting year as creative director for the community arts initiative Future Club in Sydhavn, Copenhagen.
Julie’s role within Doze Galos combines her business savvy, a penchant for discovering new upcoming artists, as well as her love for nature and agriculture.Having been raised on the Danish island of Fyn, on a farmstead which had been in their family for five generations, rural life is deeply rooted in her being. And this comes alive in the values she brings to our project: pragmatism, long-term vision, and patience.
Advisory board
Anna Falkentoft
Currently enrolled in the Global Farmer program at the Kalø Organic Agricultural College, Anna’s practice integrates aesthetics and sustainability in an interdisciplinary approach to creating habitats for flora and fauna.
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Anna’s focus is on reconnecting nature, farmland, and habitable spaces: working with processes where site-specific conditions, cultures, and practices unfold to create circular design solutions.
In collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, the Danish Nature Agency, and the Ministry of Environment, she has helped develop projects to transform agricultural croplands into natural landscapes, employing minimal-impact methods and self-sustaining natural systems.
With a specialization in Landscape Design, Anna is currently sharing her expertise and expanding her practice in Portugal, driven by boundless curiosity and a methodical approach.
Per Kølster
A figurehead in the European organic farming and brewing universes, Per is renowned for his experience and hands-on approach. He currently serves as Chairperson for the Kongernes National Park , dedicated to preserving Nordsjælland’s ecological heritage.
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In 2012, Per founded Kølster Malt & Beer, a pioneering organic brewery which emphasizes homegrown grains and hops, fostering a unique connection between the raw ingredients and the final brew.
For nearly a decade he has advocated for organic farming as the chairperson for Denmark's National Association of Organic Farmers. As Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen for over 15 years he has combined academic rigor with practical expertise.
His career reflects a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, shaping what it means to be organic.
Francisca Aires
Xica is a Cultural Producer specialized in programming, curating, and managing events. She brings over 15 years of experience from the international performance scene, and is known for her innovative programming and daring productions in Portugal and abroad.
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Xica's practice involves working with institutional, commercial, and non-profit arts organizations to realize projects ranging from elaborate performances to festivals and exhibitions.
For over 15 years, prestigious international festivals have relied on her production savvy. Her expertise also extends to managing international tours with acclaimed artists.
In Portugal , she has collaborated with renowned organizations such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Galeria Zé dos Bois and Teatro do Bairro Alto, among others. It is her extensive experience and dedication which make her a pivotal figure in the performing arts community.