Culture

Santa Casa brings reading, creativity and intergenerational activities to the Book Fair

Misericórdia de Lisboa has organised a packed programme of events at the Book Fair for this Friday and the weekend, with activities designed for all ages. Between 12 and 14 June, the organisation’s stand will once again serve as a vibrant space for meeting, participation and discovery.

A group of boys and girls are playing the drums in front of the SCML stand at the book fair

This Friday afternoon, 12 June, will therefore begin with a Story Time session for older people (2.30 pm), based on the book *Princess D. Leonor – Foundress of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa*. The session includes a fun, educational element, with mirror painting, a memory game and creating a timeline of the story, encouraging active participation and cognitive stimulation.

At 4.00 pm, the stand will host a ‘Popular Saints’ workshop, led by Rosário Rodrigues and Catarina Silva, instructors from the Pousal Social Work programme of the SCML. The activity invites the public to explore craft techniques associated with folk traditions, in a creative and community-based setting.

Saturday (13 June) begins with the now-traditional Peddy Paper ‘Do you know what a national treasure is?’ (10.30 am–12 noon), a treasure hunt that challenges families and groups of friends to discover the Chapel of St John the Baptist.

In the afternoon, the programme focuses on children:

  • Story Time (3.00 pm), once again featuring the book *Princesa D. Leonor*, aimed at children aged 6 to 12.
  • Educational play activities (3.30 pm–4.30 pm), featuring mirror painting, a memory game and creating a timeline of the story.
  • Giant ‘Jogo da Glória’ (5.00 pm–7.00 pm), inspired by the book *The Extraordinary Life of Saint Roque*, promoting learning through play and collective participation.

Sunday 14 June continues to focus on families and children:

  • Story Time: The Adventures of Nini the Ant (10.00), for children aged 3 to 6.
  • Story Time: Princess D. Leonor (11.15 am), for children aged 6 to 12.
  • Educational play activities (11.45 am–12.30 pm), featuring mirror painting, a memory game and story-reconstruction exercises.

The afternoon concludes with another session of the Giant Jogo da Glória (5.00 pm–7.00 pm), which has been one of the most popular events during Santa Casa’s presence at the Fair.

The programme for these three days highlights the diversity of the institution’s work, ranging from promoting reading to community engagement, whilst also celebrating memory, creativity and intergenerational participation.

All activities take place at the SCML stand, with free admission.