Launch WeARTolerance: An Arts Programme for Mental Health

The WeARTolerance project, supported by the La Caixa Foundation, is an innovative initiative that combines art and psychology, involving a team of psychologists and researchers from the Lusófona University (COFAC, HEI-Lab). This project aims to combat the stigma associated with mental health and promote understanding of the attitudes of children, adolescents, and adults towards individuals facing difficulties in this area.

In order to create a safe space, WeARTolerance offers a programme that integrates various forms of artistic expression. This environment allows young people to explore their emotions and develop socio-emotional and artistic skills. The main activities include:

• Theatre and Performance
• Music and Composition
• Poetry, Reading, and Written Expression

Currently, a collective artistic project has been carried out, which will be presented to the public on 29th September, Sunday, at 18:00, in the Carlos Paredes Auditorium, in Benfica.

For more information, please visit WeARTolerance.

Show “The Festival of Life”

Synopsis

Everything could start on a dance floor, but it begins on a running track. Running to be accepted, to be significant, when we feel small. What do we do when we are in the midst of a crowd, who are we? How do we act? What do we show? Each character has a unique story: their fears, anxieties, intense feelings, difficult sensations, indecisions, dilemmas, rejection, failure, joys, dreams… They all consider themselves different from one another, with an internal world populated by creatures that shame does not allow them to reveal. They all understand that difference is not a sign of division and distancing. Getting to know one another, showing oneself, sharing experiences reveals that the path to tolerance not only improves the life of those who are suffering but also benefits the entire community. The well-being of each individual is the well-being of all.

Facilitation

WeARTolerance | Lusófona University (COFAC, HEI-Lab)

Type of Activity

Performing Arts

Technical Sheet

Management and Assistance to Staging and Text
Ana Beato

Staging and Text
Sofia Ângelo

Assistance to Staging
Gonçalo Fontes

Assistance to Project Management
Ana Carvalho

Performance
Bubacar Djalo
Constança Silva
Diogo Ferreira
Gabriel Cardoso
Guilherme Almeida
Laura Whitehurst
Luísa Lopes
Maria João Garrido
Mariana Gouveia
Matilde Marques
Patrícia Laranjeira
Sérgio Mota
Tomás Marques

Movement Support
Raquel Cabral

Sound Design
Guilherme Fortunato

Voice and Acoustic Space
Sara Afonso

Lighting Design
Ana Luísa

Photography
Creative Monster

Graphic Design
Inês Reis

Production
Raquel Bravo

Financial Support
La Caixa Foundation

Partners
Meridional Theatre
Benfica Parish Council
Marvila Parish Council

Creation
WeARTolerance; COFAC; HEI-Lab; Lusófona University