André Melão, a Telecommunications and Informatics Engineering student at Instituto Superior Técnico, won the 1st Stage Prize at the ‘Bairrada Mágica’ International Magic Festival, which took place on 14 April. The event was part of the 10th Portuguese Congress of Illusionism and was held in Oliveira do Bairro, featuring several national illusionists.

André’s participation in the festival stemmed from his performances on various national stages. “I decided to apply and present my stage routine titled (Im)possible Love, which I’ve been preparing for several years,” he shared. He described winning the award as a memorable moment: “It was a huge surprise and, at the same time, a validation of the effort and dedication I have invested in this art.”

His journey into illusionism began at a young age. “My first experience with magic was when I received a magic box for Christmas at the age of seven,” he recalled. ‘However, it was three years later that his interest became more serious: “I saw a performance on YouTube that fascinated me. From then on, I wanted to learn more and more about this art and my curiosity only grew. Since then I’ve never stopped,” explains André Melão.

In addition to his passion for illusionism, André is dedicated to his studies in Telecommunications and Informatics Engineering, with a particular interest in cybersecurity. He believes that the two fields share more similarities than one might think. “Cybersecurity also involves mysteries, strategies, and revelations”, he explained, adding that both magic and engineering require logical thinking, attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills. “The way I conceptualise and structure a magical effect has many parallels with how I tackle technical challenges”, he noted.

Looking to the future, he envisions technology and magic as two paths that can coexist. “I want to remain engaged with technology and cybersecurity, but magic will always be a part of my life—either as a profession or as a form of expression”, he emphasised.