Welcome to Mensagem de Lisboa. This is our edition in English.
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Rato Square: an “open-air road sewage” in Lisbon. Until when?
Cars, buses, tramways, bicycles, scooters, pedestrians, honking horns, traffic queues, lots of noise, and pollution. This is the scenario of Rato Square. Whoever passes by there, goes in a hurry. And don’t stay in Rato which is just a passing place and is not safe for those who don’t ride a car.
Gintarė Karalytė, the Web Summit producer who fell in love with Lisbon
Gintare Karelyte is Lithuanian, has lived in Lisbon for three years and fell in love with this city where the biggest technology event in the world takes place – the Web Summit – of which she is a producer. People of Lisbon went to meet her. And it was a rush.
Escaping from the darkness of Kabul to the brightness of Lisbon
A year has passed since Samim Seerat and his family managed to leave Afghanistan for Pakistan and from there to fly to Lisbon, where they found refuge. It is about this journey towards a new life that Samim writes today.
Yes, Mensagem is publishing in English too!*
*Sim, a Mensagem também está em inglês! A Mensagem inaugura a partir do dia 3 de novembro uma edição em inglês – uma newsletter e algumas surpresas. O objetivo é servir a comunidade estrangeira que vive e trabalha em Lisboa – cerca de 20% os habitantes da cidade – e também os que nos visitam.
From Lisbon to Costa da Caparica by public transport: how to get to the beach
Going to Costa da Caparica’s beaches by public transport may not be the easiest task. The poor supply of public transport, ferry strikes, and the difficulty in finding information are some of the biggest obstacles. Here we list the ways to get to the beach.
Bicycle Heroes: Lisbon children discussing the future of the cities
They use bicycles, but they would like to do it more and better. What do children have to say about cycling mobility? Bicycle Heroes is a new project to hear them.
Have you heard about the Unicorn Factory at Beato? What’s really happening over there
At the Beato Creative Hub an old factory unit is being transformed into an incubator of entrepreneurial, creative and innovative companies.
How Lisbon became a LGBTQ+ refuge for brazilians fleeing intolerance in their homeland
Portugal became a refuge for the Brazilian LGBTQ+ community who faced real danger following Jair Bolsonaro’s victory four years ago. Some of those who left say that because Lula beat the right-wing incumbent in Sunday’s presidential election, they are thinking of moving back home.
Why I fell in love with Lisbon – three times
A love letter to Lisbon from the former Financial Times editor, Andrew Gowers, an Englishman and a “mn of the world” who lives in town. Emotional declaration of love for the city and the people of Lisbon.
Rádio Olisipo: two italians founded an independent radio station in Lisbon
Rádio Olisipo wants to “internationalize the music that is made in Lisbon, whether by Lisboetas, Portuguese who live here, or immigrants”.
In this restaurant in Estefânia, “Big Bad Wolf” (Lobo Mau) uses his granny’s vegetable garden for his recipes
In Estefânia, at Lobo Mau, Chef Hugo Guerra found fruit, vegetables, and flowers in the garden tended by his nonagenarian neighbor Dona Cena, which he uses in the dishes he serves. A garden that also gave rise to a great friendship.
Vegan Lisbon guide: “I am a vegan in Lisbon, I am in heaven”*
My first Sunday in Lisbon, I wondered if I could find a vegan croissant. It was shockingly easy. Google led me to Moko Veggie Cafe, a short walk from my host family’s house. I picked up a chocolate croissant and toasted it until the chocolate oozed through flaky pastry layers. I was in heaven. *Também em portugês
At Mamma Isabel’s there is a place at the table for people from all over the world
Every night in Lisbon there is a place where Mamma comes to cook dinner for a large gathering of people from all over the world. That place is Home. Home Hostel to be precise. *Também em português
Joalharia do Carmo is the new Filigree art showcase in Chiado
The old store has been renovated and now ony sells filigree. It is also a showcase of certified artisans, from the younger to the older, in the middle of Chiado.
All night noise, garbage, and urine at your doorstep: what’s it like to live in Cais do Sodré
Mensagem’s reporter stayed in an apartment in Cais do Sodré to find out how the inhabitants feel about living there. He witnessed riots, noise, garbage at the doorstep, and a complete lack of compliance with the rules. A living hell.
Rui lost his leg in an accident, but not even that stopped him from riding his bike
Rui Teixeira suffered a train accident when he was 17, but he never stopped riding his bike. Now he teaches the younger ones at Cicloficina de Marvila.
The experience as a refugee from Afghanistan to Lisbon:
“Two years of People of Lisbon. Two years? That long? Really?”
Two years and more than 80 videos. People of Lisbon is a video project from Stephen O’Regan and Rta Ansone (our photographer) and we at Mensagem are proud of this partnership.
Nossa Senhora do Loreto Church has been the headquarters of the italian Lisbon for the last 500 years
Italians are the largest european community in Lisbon. They have surpassed the French and the Spanish. But the “italian Lisbon” is ancient and its headquarters is the Nossa Senhora do Loreto, Church of the Italians, in Chiado. For 500 years.