This exhibition aims to highlight the importance of the Coimbra branch of the Casa dos Estudantes do Império (House of the Students of the Empire - CEI), which operated in the city between 1945 and 1965. Financially dependent on the Lisbon headquarters, the Coimbra branch welcomed a significant number of students from the then colonies, some of whom played a key role in cultural production and the political activism that led to independences.

The exhibition explores the cultural and sporting activities organised at the House or by its members, the way in which African identities were taking shape at the time, the relationship with other spaces and institutions in the city, the political surveillance of some of its members, and the House’s contribution to the politicisation of a student community undergoing transformation.

Bringing together documents, photographs and press cuttings from various archives, such as the Torre do Tombo National Archive, the Tchiweka Documentation Association, the 25 April Documentation Centre and the Academic Museum of the University of Coimbra, amongst others, the exhibition also includes audiovisual resources - films, testimonies and audio recordings - which explore the political and cultural dimensions of the CEI’s activities, with a focus on the Coimbra branch.

Exhibition dates and times
28 March to 18 October 2026
Wednesday to Monday | 15:00 to 20:00 (last admission at 19:30)

Curators
Helena Wakim Moreno
Miguel Cardina

Organisers
Municipality of Coimbra / Convento São Francisco
Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra