# Portuguese theatrical explorations of authoritarian history

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/portuguese-theatrical-explorations-of-authoritarian-history
> Updated: 2026-10-23T23:05:27.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Recent theatrical productions in Portugal have focused on examining the country’s history of authoritarianism. In Évora, the performance ‘InBetween Memory. A Romania-Portugal Residency’ explores the parallels between the Portuguese Estado Novo regime and the communist regime in Romania, using documentary theater to examine how these political contexts influenced family identity and survival.

In Lisbon, the production ‘Em silêncio’ focuses specifically on the 48-year history of the Estado Novo dictatorship. Directed by Teresa Sobral, the play is based on thirteen years of research, utilizing historical archives and interviews with former political prisoners to address what the director describes as a lack of detailed historical education regarding this era in Portuguese schools.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Lisbon theater production explores 48 years of Portuguese dictatorship

The play “Em silêncio” premieres in Lisbon, using historical research and political prisoner testimonies to depict 48 years of Portugal's Estado Novo dictatorship.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lisbon-theater-production-explores-48-years-of-portuguese-dictatorship

### 2026-09-25: Évora hosts theatrical performance on Portuguese and Romanian authoritarian history

The play ‘InBetween Memory’ will debut in Évora, exploring the historical parallels between Portugal’s Estado Novo and Romania’s communist regime through the lens of two fictional families.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vora-hosts-theatrical-production-exploring-portuguese-and-romanian-authoritarian-history

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Cite as: Portuguese theatrical explorations of authoritarian history. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/portuguese-theatrical-explorations-of-authoritarian-history