Martins Sarmento Society marks 200 years since the death of Catarina de Lencastre

The Martins Sarmento Society organizes next Saturday, April 6th at 4pm, in the institution’s main hall, the first session of the conference cycle “A hall to speak and a room to write”, marking the 2nd centenary of the death of Catarina de Lencastre .

Catarina de Lencastre, 1st Viscountess of Balsemão, was born in Guimarães on Saint Michael’s Day, September 29, 1749. In 2024, the 200th anniversary of her death will be celebrated.

“Few today know a poet who honored the name of her parents, the Lords of Vila Pouca, from an early age, and in her life (1749-1824) marked literary life in Portugal. Why do we forget it? Why do we remember it? Most of the time, memory, like forgetfulness, has little to do with abundance or lack of merit. We forget and remember because it is easy to forget or remember. And for that reason alone, we must regularly review the story we tell”, says the SMS in a note sent to newsrooms about the event.

The first session of this cycle addresses the literary salons of the 18th century, from Catarina de Lencastre to Bocage, Soror Maria do Céu, Leonor de Almeida, and will feature Luísa Malato, Zulmira Santos and Francisco Topa.