The Spring Cultural Soiree, organised by the Students’ Association of the
Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon took place on 22 March and was attended by the
Rector Magnificus of the University of Lisbon, and by the Director and Deputy
Director of the Faculty of Medicine, respectively Professor Fernandes e
Fernandes and Professor J. Alexandre Ribeiro, among other guests.

This was an historical evening that paid homage to “an unprecedented role model
of the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon”, Professor João Cid dos Santos
(1907-1975), and which included a speech by the Director and by Professor
Henrique Bicha Castelo, who were two of his latest disciples.

I have made a point not to miss any future soirees organized by the Students’ Association of the
Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon (AEFML).

Indeed, a cultural soiree makes an imprint on all those who participate in it,
but equally on many of the viewers. I would say that there were various reasons
why it made such an impact on the majority of the public.

During the actual event, many of the everyday “social” barriers fall to the
ground. We suddenly feel invited to ignore commonplace values that stratify
hierarchies, somehow separate us lecturers, students, members of staff and
researchers, and set everybody apart from everybody.

However, do not think that the basic guiding principles of civility suddenly
fade away or that there is no respect. Quite the opposite!

What actually happens is that, on such a evening, many of us “embrace a cause”
and we all become a part of FMUL. Some of our guests and relatives become part
of our Faculty in our eyes, as if they had all been enlisted at that very point
to a higher cause.

 
It is
unquestionable that the artistic quality of performances amazed all those most
caught off-guard and also contributed to the sense of pride and feeling of
belonging. This was indeed a remarkable cultural evening.

My natural admiration of students heightens, my respect for lecturers is further
strengthened, and I gain new idols, particularly those who shine on the stage
and add to a real gala evening, regardless of the category they belong too on an
everyday basis.

It is unquestionable that many of the performances have the quality and worth to
be shown on any stage. However, it was here that they were performed, in our
second home, exactly in the same area where classes take place everyday.

It is indeed a privilege to discover these talents that are usually hidden
behind white coats or disguised as anonymous doctors, administrative staff,
researchers, but, above all, as unsuspecting lecturers and students.

The themes interpreted were catchy and carefully chosen, although not always the
easiest to interpret. This requires an excellent mastery of instrument playing,
voice, dancing techniques and even declamation! For the first time in the
history of this event, we were graced with a poetry recital.

For all the above reasons, it was quite easy to become engrossed in the show.
This was made possible thanks to the variety of artistic forms, the harmonious
combination of musical genres and, particularly, the quality of the
interpretations.

I felt everything again, this time as a spectator, which made me feel more
relaxed and enjoy and experience with pleasure the extremely good moments.

This was the reason
why I thought it would be interesting to ascertain if anyone else went through
the same feelings or felt something similar to the emotion I felt for the first
time a few months ago.

And who could be more appropriate to undertake this assignment than our
colleague Lara Ponte?

Interview

Miguel Andrade – Had you attended, as a spectator, previous editions of the
Cultural Soiree organized by AEFML?

Lara Ponte – No, unfortunately I had never had the opportunity to attend any
Cultural Soiree organized by AEFML.

MA – What does it
feel like to participate in the Soiree from the actual stage?

LP – It was a good experience.

As a spectator, I found that everything was extremely well organised. I could
see that the Large Auditorium was almost packed, right up almost to the end of
the event. The artists’ choices were the best, particularly because most of them
were “in-house” lecturers and students. This demonstrates that despite being a
Faculty whose main aim is to train future doctors, this sort of initiative
highlights a very important “camaraderie” between lecturers and students.

As for seeing everything from the actual stage, I must admit that when I was “up
there” I became quite nervous, particularly when I realized, in the beginning,
that there were few empty seats.

My main objective was to fulfil the role I had been given as presenter to the
best of my ability. I did not want to disappoint the organization in any way,
for which reason I focused a lot on the job, and did not take much pleasure from
the show.

MA – And how about the preparations? How do presenters prepare? What happens at
the rehearsals?

LP –Ricardo and I had very little time to prepare the presentation of the
Soiree. I actually think it was insufficient to ensure everything would be
perfect. In my particular case, shortage of time was due to professional
commitments, and I particularly felt that restriction. As for Ricardo, in
addition to being a student at FMUL, he has activities in parallel as a member
of the Students’ Association, including the organization of the actual Soiree.

At the rehearsals, we fine tuned some aspects of the script, and suggested some
changes as rehearsals progressed, so everything would sound better.

MA – Can you share with us any moment at the rehearsals or during the actual
show that the audience might be interested about?

LP – The Lisbon Medical “Tuna” (Musical Group) was not the only high moment in
the evening, but it succeeded to get the entire audience, and I mean EVERY ONE,
up on their feet clapping at the sound of the music. Everybody was in very high
spirits, with a huge smile on their faces, and some of the spectators also sang
along. It was lovely to see!

In my humble opinion, another high moment was the interpretation of the poem by
Navarro-Soeiro titled “Prologo de o Que Arde… Cura” by student Diogo Medina,
former President of AEFML. It was an excellent choice and a brilliant
interpretation.

MA – What are the best memories that will linger about this particular event?

LP – As a member of staff in the Academic Area of FMUL, I had never had close
contact with members of the AEFML, and I was impressed with the tireless work
they have been carrying out. Team work, the division and organization of tasks
among all, the mutual help spirit is indeed exemplary.

I particularly liked to see the involvement of lecturers in the show, not just
as viewers but as participants.

We are used to see them in their roles as lecturers and suddenly… we realize
they have many other activities totally unrelated with teaching and even less
with medicine.

All I have to say is that I enjoyed it immensely!

MA – How can we encourage a larger number of spectators to come to the next
AEFML Cultural Soiree?

LP – I believe that at this moment in time, there is already a large audience
for this type of event. This is perhaps due to the feedback from Soiree to
Soiree. As I have mentioned earlier, the Large Auditorium was practically full.
In my opinion, that is the trick. If events are well organized and go well, this
message gets passed on, and the curiosity of those who did not attend may prompt
them not to miss the next event.

Publicizing the Cultural Soiree externally may also encourage higher
attendance.

PROGRAMME

Miguel Andrade
(and Lara Ponte in the interview)
Introduction to Medicine Institute

mandrade@fm.ul.pt