Lisbon theater production explores 48 years of Portuguese dictatorship

The theatrical production “Em silêncio” is set to premiere at the Teatro S. Luiz in Lisbon, focusing on the 48-year history of the Estado Novo dictatorship in Portugal. Written and directed by Teresa Sobral, the play aims to address what the creator perceives as a lack of detailed historical education regarding this era in Portuguese schools.

The production is the result of nearly thirteen years of research, involving extensive interviews with former political prisoners and consultations of historical archives, including the Torre do Tombo and the Mário Soares Foundation. Sobral sought to ensure historical accuracy regarding the social, economic, and political consequences of the regime through the use of personal testimonies and documented evidence.