João Paulo II University Library presents the exhibition “Hannah Arendt: 50/80”

The João Paulo II University Library presents the exhibition ‘Hannah Arendt: 50/80’, an initiative dedicated to the memory of the life and work of one of the most influential political thinkers of the twentieth century. The exhibition will be open to the public from January 7, 2026, to February 28, 2026, on the third floor of the Library building.

The exhibition was developed by Bernardo Freitas, in collaboration with João Paulo II University Library. An alumnus of the Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations: Security and Defence at the Institute of Political Studies, the exhibition arises from his master’s dissertation devoted to Hannah Arendt’s work and intellectual legacy, entitled “The Concept of Modernity in Hannah Arendt: From Anti-Systematicity to the Aggregate.”

Marking the 50th anniversary of Hannah Arendt’s death and the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the exhibition provides a historical and conceptual framework for the author’s thought, whose theoretical reflections were profoundly shaped by the experience and consequences of that conflict.

Through a diverse set of documentary sources, the exhibition explores both Hannah Arendt’s biography and the central concepts of her work. Among the highlighted themes are The Human Condition, Modernity, Totalitarianism, and the Banality of Evil—fundamental axes for understanding Arendtian thought and its continued relevance in contemporary political and philosophical debate.

The exhibition “Hannah Arendt: 50/80” thus seeks to establish itself as a space for reflection and debate, welcoming not only those already familiar with Hannah Arendt’s work but also all those wishing to begin exploring her ideas. In this sense, the exhibition also stands as a tribute to the life, intellectual journey, and enduring relevance of this crucial political theorist.

As part of the exhibition program, a roundtable discussion will take place on February 5, at 5 p.m., at the João Paulo II University Library. The session will feature Professor Mónica Dias, Director of IEP, Professor Miguel Morgado, also from IEP, and Master Bernardo Freitas, IEP alumnus and curator of the exhibition.

The exhibition is open to the entire academic university community and the general public, promoting, ensuring free, inclusive, and open access to culture and knowledge.