The Casais School-Museum - Interpretive Center of the Centenaries Plan Schools opened its doors on Friday, September 25th, recreating a physical space similar to a classroom from the 1940s and 1950s. The Mayor, Nelson Oliveira, highlighted the historical significance of the moment for the municipality, recalling the oldest schools and the Estado Novo project in Portugal. He emphasized that the Centenaries Plan, still visible in various parts of the country, aims to bridge the gap for younger generations to understand education during their parents' and grandparents' era.
Nelson Oliveira also pointed out that the new space will serve as a hub for activities for groups and associations. The facility is the result of the requalification of the former deactivated primary school in Casais, following the architectural model of schools from the Centenaries Plan, with the goal of creating a museological and interpretive space dedicated to the primary school construction plan implemented between 1943 and 1970.
The recreation of the classroom aims to encourage school visits and the possibility of experiencing lessons, establishing a unique interaction between the museum space and formal teaching activities. The Interpretive Center offers a singular cultural and pedagogical offering at a national level, with a didactic component for contemporary Portuguese history, also serving as a place for preserving local memory and affirming the community.
The space was designed to reflect the political and educational context of the time, functioning as a place of historical memory. It is also intended for a diverse non-school public, filling a gap in the region's cultural offerings. Simultaneously, it will provide a decentralized cultural offering, equipped with resources for small events such as lectures, workshops, or exhibitions.
The inauguration ceremony featured a performance by the Grupo de Cavaquinhos da USALOU.
