Meridianos do Futuro – The Casa dos Estudantes do Império of Coimbra (1945-1965)

The exhibition Meridianos do Futuro seeks to showcase the importance of the Coimbra delegation of the Casa dos Estudantes do Império, which existed in the city between 1945 and 1965. Financially dependent on its Lisbon headquarters, the Casa of Coimbra had its own specificities and welcomed an important group of students from the then colonies, some of whom played a relevant role in cultural production and later in the political engagement that led to independence. We will aim to show the cultural and sports activities carried out at the Casa or by its members; the way African identities were defined at the time; the relationship of the CEI of Coimbra with other spaces and structures in the city; the persecution and political surveillance of some of its members; and the unique way in which the Casa and its members contributed to the politicization of a changing student environment.