João Paulo II University Library presents the exhibition “Memória Viva: arte e dignidade no tempo”

João Paulo II University Library will host the exhibition Memória Viva: arte e dignidade no tempo, an initiative promoted by CADOS – Católica Doctoral School, in partnership with the library.

The opening is scheduled for Friday, October 24, at 6 p.m., and will be attended by the participating artists. The exhibition will be open to visitors until December 15.

The exhibition, originally scheduled to run until November 28, has been extended and will now be on display until December 15, 2025.

This event aims to celebrate and highlight the artistic work of senior creators, who are often excluded from contemporary circles. Through art, it offers a profound reflection on the value of memory, experience, and human dignity.

The exhibition is in line with CADOS' mission, which aims to “promote human dignity and the common good through art, culture, and interdisciplinary research,” while also aligning with the principles of the Integral Human Development Program, which advocates a holistic and inclusive approach to human beings in all stages of life.

Memória Viva brings together works by six artists — ELSARDINHA, Franco Palma, Joana Romeiro, João Carlos Espadinha, Maria João Matos Gomes, and Sara Velez Malta—whose life journeys are marked by resistance, beauty, and creative force.

The collection comprises paintings, sculptures, and installations, with a particular emphasis on accessibility and cultural mediation. It is intended as a space for intergenerational encounters, where the past and present engage in a sensitive and inspiring dialogue.

More than an exhibition, Memória Viva: arte e dignidade no tempo is an invitation to rediscover art as a vehicle for humanity, memory, and hope—a tribute to creativity that remains alive throughout all stages of life.

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