Marginália Brings the Lusófona Community Together Through Reading and Discussion

Lusófona University launched Marginália – Reading Club on 20 May, an initiative open to students, lecturers and staff that aims to encourage reading habits and create spaces for connection and dialogue among different members of the university community.

Organised by Gisela Ribeiro, Vanessa Ribeiro-Rodrigues and Célia Oliveira, the club is intended to meet monthly and is centred on the reading and discussion of a literary work, promoting the exchange of perspectives and the collective construction of knowledge.

The name Marginália refers to the notes, comments and reflections that readers write in the margins of books, a practice that symbolises the very spirit of the project: engaging in dialogue with texts, questioning them and enriching them through the sharing of different interpretations.

This first session began with an introduction by the organisers, who explained the origins of the club and the meaning behind its name, highlighting the importance of creating spaces for interaction where reading can serve as a meeting point for people from different academic and professional backgrounds within the university.

This was followed by a round of introductions, during which students, lecturers and staff shared their personal relationships with books and reading. The contributions revealed diverse experiences, ranging from lifelong reading habits developed in childhood to more recent discoveries, helping to create an atmosphere of openness and exchange.

The session continued with the presentation of the book Ala Feminina by Vanessa Ribeiro-Rodrigues, which served as the starting point for the reading and discussion of the chapter “Bárbara, a Serena!”. The conversation enabled participants to explore different interpretations of the text, connecting the themes addressed in the work with their own experiences, references and perspectives.

More than a space for literary analysis, Marginália established itself as a forum for dialogue and collective reflection, where diverse viewpoints enrich the reading experience and broaden the possibilities for understanding texts.

The initiative reinforces the commitment of the Lusófona community to promoting culture, participation and cohesion within its academic community.

The next session is scheduled for 18 June and remains open to anyone interested in taking part, continuing a project that seeks to transform reading into a shared experience of discovery and debate.

View Event Photos on ULusófona's Facebook Page

Text
Gabriel Motta

Photography
Susana Oliveira

Photo Editing
Gabriel Motta