Jornal de Leiria – Alberto Costa: “I was subjected to the torture of sleep for five days. Others were much more”

He was born in Alcobaça, but, at the age of seven, he moved to Leiria, where he studied until going to university. At what point did he become aware of the oppressive reality he was experiencing?
From adolescence onwards, influenced by peers and teachers. The Liceu de Leiria was an extraordinary moment of access to a critical reading of reality. Above all, I pay tribute to those teachers who helped me stimulate critical observation of reality and the spirit of nonconformity. Literature also played a very important role. For three years, I was in charge of the Liceu newspaper, Despertar, which had been directed by Guilherme Valente, and this led me to read a lot, to find out about various subjects. Political awareness was formed, above all, at school and among friends. At home, there was an enormous depoliticization resulting from all the intimidation mechanisms.

It was at the university that he became involved in more direct actions opposing the regime.
It takes place at the beginning of college and within the framework of the student movement, in Lisbon. But he would never have taken on the role of becoming part of this movement and carrying out activities within this framework without the preparation he took from the Liceu de Leiria.