On 24 June, in Leça do Balio, BABELL inaugurates the Garden of Thought with an opening lecture by Byung-Chul Han, one of the most influential voices in contemporary philosophy.

A Korean-born thinker based in Germany, Byung-Chul Han has developed a body of work that critically examines the condition of our time, addressing themes such as the burnout society, transparency and the erosion of interior life. His presence at this inaugural moment is not merely symbolic — it is foundational: to think a place before inhabiting it.

The Garden of Thought was conceived as a place where contemplation and reflection become part of everyday life — a space where time slows down and thought unfolds in dialogue with the landscape.

The project brings together two major figures of Portuguese culture: Álvaro Siza Vieira, author of both the architectural design and the sculptures that inhabit the garden, and Sidónio Pardal, responsible for its landscape architecture.

Byung-Chul Han’s lecture thus marks not only the opening of a garden, but the inauguration of a gesture: returning thought to public space.

In a world saturated with noise, BABELL proposes a place for listening. And a principle: there is no city without thought.

To access BABELL sessions, even with a ticket in hand, you must always bring a book with you.