The Portimão Museum has become the first museum in the Algarve to integrate the program “Marcar o Lugar – Encontros no Museu”, an initiative developed in partnership with Alzheimer Portugal. The project aims to create cultural participation experiences that promote well-being, expression, sharing, and social inclusion, bringing people living with dementia and their caregivers closer to museums, heritage, and the territory.
With scientific and technical support from Alzheimer Portugal and the Instituto de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Católica Portuguesa, this edition runs from October 19 to November 23, with six weekly meetings on Mondays, from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The sessions will take place in various locations linked to local heritage and identity, such as the Antiga Lota de Portimão, the Portimão Museum itself, the Centro Interpretativo do Salva-Vidas de Alvor, and the area surrounding the museum.
The program is designed for small groups of 10 to 12 participants, including individuals with early to moderate-stage dementia and their caregivers. Participation is free and requires no prior knowledge of art or experience visiting cultural spaces. Each meeting invites participants to discover places, objects, images, and stories, fostering observation, exploration, dialogue, and collaborative creation using various materials and forms of expression.
Originally conceived by MAAT, Museu de Lisboa, Alzheimer Portugal, Acesso Cultura, and the Instituto de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the project had its pilot phase in 2021 and 2022. The methodology uses art and heritage as places for encounter and dialogue, with positive results demonstrated in participants' mood, well-being, and the relationship between individuals and their caregivers, as well as promoting social inclusion.
This initiative reinforces the ongoing work of Alzheimer Portugal in the municipality through its Algarve branch. In Portimão, the association already runs Café Memória, a free monthly meeting space held at the Portimão Museum on the second Saturday of each month, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, for sharing experiences and mutual support.
