Christmas gathering: a time for a different reunion

"Christmas is a time of reunion", said the Rector of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Isabel Capeloa Gil, at the headquarters Christmas gathering in Lisbon, which brought together students, staff and professors on the afternoon of December 15th.

"A different reunion, with precaution", gathered the academic community in the Cardeal Medeiros auditorium, for a concert by the band Elas e o Jazz.

"This is a time of recentring on the people and on the ties that bind us together. And it is particularly relevant to refer to this recentring when for 22 months we have lived in a sanitary logic of distance and estrangement", said the Rector.

Isabel Capeloa Gil took the opportunity to recall the efforts made by the various university teams to ensure the smooth running of the campi in times of pandemic, highlighting the pedagogical renewal initiatives, but also the technological modernisation efforts.

"By crossing over, we want to celebrate the work, the dedication, the responsibility of our fellow travellers, the teachers, students, collaborators of the UCP", said the Rector, stressing that "Católica is a leading institution of learning and research, but it is also a space for experience and connection".

The Rector also left a special message to the members of the international community: "To the members of our international community, I wish happy holidays and thank you for the extraordinary work throughout the 22 months of a global pandemic. These are challenging times, and yet it is our desire to seize the moment as an instance of renovation and transformation. There is no template for the future, but that is why universities as large hubs of creativity need to stand up to lead in moments of great uncertainty. May the season be an occasion of happiness and fulfilment for you, your families and your friends".

The Christmas gathering continued with a concert by Elas e o Jazz, the famous jazz band that sings in three voices, formed by Joana Machado, Marta Hugon and Mariana Norton. In this different Christmas that we are experiencing, the Rector also recalled the words of the composer George Gershwin: "Life is a lot like jazz... it's best when you improvise".