The Portimão Museum has become the first museum in the Algarve to host “Marcar o Lugar – Encontros no Museu,” a cultural participation project tailored for people living with early-to-moderate dementia and their caregivers. Organised in partnership with Alzheimer Portugal and supported scientifically by the Institute of Health Sciences at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, the initiative uses art, local heritage, and regional history to promote well-being, self-expression, and social inclusion.
Running from 19 October to 23 November, the programme consists of six weekly sessions held on Mondays from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. The free sessions will take place across various cultural sites, including the Portimão Museum, the Old Fish Market (Antiga Lota), the Alvor Lifeboat Interpretive Centre, and the museum’s surrounding grounds.
Designed for small groups of 10 to 12 participants, the sessions require no prior experience with art or museums. During each meeting, attendees explore heritage objects, share memories, and engage in hands-on creative activities. Originally developed by MAAT, the Museum of Lisbon, Alzheimer Portugal, Acesso Cultura, and the Catholic University of Portugal, the project’s methodology was successfully piloted between 2021 and 2022, demonstrating positive impacts on participant mood, well-being, and social interaction.
This collaboration reinforces Alzheimer Portugal’s ongoing work in the municipality through its Algarve branch, which also hosts the monthly Café Memória sessions at the Portimão Museum on the second Saturday of each month. Further information about the project is available at www.alzheimerportugal.org
