“Aleixo – Workshop for a Place of Memory” is a participatory workshop coordinated by INSTITUTO, hosted by A.P.S.P.B.A. – Associação de Promoção Social da População do Bairro do Aleixo, and held in collaboration with paulo moreira architectures.
Integrated into the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the residents’ association — which remains active despite the demolition of the neighbourhood — the initiative brings together former residents to co-create devices that highlight the history of Aleixo. The process includes the collection of photographs, archival documents, and symbolic objects, culminating in the joint creation of a potential sculptural element to be installed in the public space.
Project co-produced by the Cultura em Expansão programme, within the framework of the Open Call 2025 – Criação Participada.

The programme includes:

29 November (Saturday), 4:00 PM
– Walk to the former Aleixo neighbourhood

During the participatory workshop, a public moment of knowledge sharing takes place through a guided walk around the area of the former Aleixo neighbourhood. The visit is led by José Renato Sousa, president of the board of the Associação de Promoção Social da População do Bairro do Aleixo, and João Queirós, sociologist, researcher, and author of a thesis and publication on the genesis of the neighbourhood.


5 December (Friday), 6:00 PM
– Lugar de Memória [Place of Memory]: exhibition opening

As the final moment of the workshop, a collective exhibition opens, bringing together visual elements that pay tribute to the history and collective memory of the neighbourhood. The exhibition shares the co-creation process led by architect Paulo Moreira and disseminates the project, featuring a live performance by MC Buster — rapper, musician, and former Aleixo resident — reinforcing the connection between the artistic team and the community experience. The exhibition will remain open for three weeks.