‘Meridians of the Future’ exhibition featuring film, literature and discussion at Convento São Francisco

Highlight
- About
News

News

_{©CMC/Catarina Gralheiro}

The Convento São Francisco continues its programme of events linked to the exhibition ‘Meridians of the Future - The House of Students of the Empire of Coimbra (1945–1965)’, on display at the Pedro Olayo (Jr.) Gallery until 18 October, with a series of initiatives bringing together cinema, literature, critical thinking and reflection on colonial legacies, African resistances and contemporary experiences of people of African descent.

The programme begins next Sunday, 24 May, at 15:00, at Black Box, with a screening of the documentary ‘Operação Angola: Fugir para Lutar’, written and directed by Diana Andringa. The film revisits the clandestine escape of dozens of students from the then Portuguese colonies in 1961, including figures who would go on to play decisive roles in African independence movements. Following the screening, there will be a discussion between Diana Andringa, the historian and curator of the exhibition, Miguel Cardina, and the audience.

Guided tours
The programme also includes a series of guided tours of the exhibition, offering the public an opportunity to explore the historical, political and cultural content of the exhibition in greater depth. The tours will take place at the Pedro Olayo (Jr.) Gallery, always at 15:30, on 31 May, 14 June, 6 September and 11 October, offering a contextualised interpretation of the documentary, photographic and audiovisual materials featured in the exhibition.

Also, on 31 May, at 17:00, Livraria Bruaá will host the launch of the book ‘Afroeuropeans: Identities, Racism, and Resistances’, followed by a discussion with African and Afro-descendant students, researchers and intellectuals. Curated by Raquel Lima, the session offers a reflection on the tensions, ambiguities and paradoxes of Blackness in Europe, linking the struggles that emerged at the Casa dos Estudantes do Império with the multiple forms of Black resistance in the contemporary world. Participants in the session: Cristina Roldão, Raquel Lima, Pedro Varela, Otávio Raposo, Ana Raquel Matias, Apolo de Carvalho and Sumaila Jaló.

Colloquium ‘Meridians of the Future: the Coimbra Branch of the House of the Students of the Empire (CEI)’
On 1 June, starting at 9:00, the Sofia Room at the Convento São Francisco will host the colloquium ‘Meridians of the Future: the Coimbra Branch of the House of the Students of the Empire (CEI)’. The event aims to discuss the importance of the Coimbra branch of the Casa dos Estudantes do Império, highlighting its unique character and significance within the context of the country, the city and the student movements of the time. The colloquium also seeks to reposition the CEI within the history of the political, social and cultural transformations that took place in Portugal between 1945 and 1965. Participation is free, but requires registration via the online form provided by the Centre for Social Studies.

Also curated by Raquel Lima, the series ‘A body-luggage in the imagined library’ runs from June to September, featuring four sessions exploring the idea of the library as a living space of memory, experience and the transmission of knowledges. Inspired by the concepts of “body-luggage” (corpo-bagagem) by Beatriz Nascimento and “walking archives” by Sónia Vaz Borges, these sessions invite different authors and artists to bring the exhibition’s library to life. The first session takes place on 2 June at 18:30, featuring the author, artist and activist Gisela Casimiro. This will be followed by Djaimilia Pereira de Almeida on 1 July; Ondjaki on 23 September; and Maíra Zenun on 30 September, all at 18:30.

On 13 June at 16:00, Black Box will screen Sarah Maldoror’s film “Sambizanga” (1972), a seminal work of African anti-colonial cinema, recently restored in 4K by The Film Foundation and the Cineteca di Bologna. Based on the short story “A Vida Verdadeira de Domingos Xavier” by Luandino Vieira, the film follows Maria’s search for her husband, who was arrested by the Portuguese colonial authorities at the start of the Angolan War of Independence. The screening will be followed by a discussion between Henda Ducados, daughter of director Sarah Maldoror and Angolan author and nationalist Mário Pinto de Andrade, Miguel Cardina and the audience.

Admission to the associated programme’s activities is free, subject to the capacity of each venue.

Useful information
The exhibition ‘Meridians of the Future: the Coimbra Branch of the House of the Students of the Empire (CEI)’ is co-organised by the Municipality of Coimbra, through the Convento São Francisco, and by the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra (CES-UC), curated by historians Helena Wakim Moreno and Miguel Cardina. The exhibition brings together documents, photographs, press cuttings and audiovisual material that highlight the political, cultural and intellectual significance of the Coimbra branch of the House of Students of the Empire between 1945 and 1965.

The exhibition, with free admission, can be visited until 18 October, from Wednesday to Monday, from 15:00 to 20:00 (last admission at 19:30).

The full programme for the Convento São Francisco can be found at coimbraconvento.pt/pt/agenda/ or via the social media channels of this municipal venue. The Convento São Francisco is a cultural facility of the Municipality of Coimbra, part of the Network of Portuguese Theatres and Cinemas and the Network of Theatres with Accessible Programming.

Full programme:
“Operation Angola: Flee to Fight”
24 May | 15:00 | Black Box
Running time: 115 minutes | Age rating: 12+

Guided Tours | 31 May, 14 June, 6 September, 11 October
15:30 | Pedro Olayo Gallery (son)

“Afroeuropeans: Identities, Racism, and Resistances”
31 May | 17:00 | Bruaá Bookshop
Duration: 90 minutes | Age rating: 12+

Colloquium ‘Meridians of the Future: the Coimbra Branch of the House of the Students of the Empire (CEI)’
1 June | 9:00 | Sofia Room
Registration: CES/UC

“Sambizanga”, by Sarah Maldoror
13 June | 16:00 | Black Box
Duration: 102 minutes | Age rating: 18+