Promoting knowledge as ‘public happiness’ was one of Manuel Martins’s purposes. Better known as Frei (friar) Manuel do Cenáculo (March 1^st, 1724, Lisbon – January 26^th, 1814, Évora), the influential intellectual, art collector and pioneer of archaeology in Portugal is celebrated on the tricentenary of his birth by the former Museum of Évora, promoted to National Museum in 2017 and bearing his name.

On October 10, 11 and 12th, 2024, the Colloqvivm ‘Towards “Public Happiness”: On the Tricentenary of the Birth of Brother Manuel do Cenáculo Villas-Boas (1724 – 1814)’ is held at the Frei Manuel do Cenáculo National Museum, in Évora, and at Évora’s Public Library (Biblioteca Pública de Évora), organised by Sandra Leandro, IHA – NOVA FCSH / IN2PAST researcher and the museum’s director, and António Gil Malta (Universidade Católica Portuguesa), with the participation of numerous experts, including several IN2PAST researchers. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The opening lecture is held by Francisco Lourenço Vaz (CIDEHUS – University of Évora), on the ‘Education and Economy in the work of Brother Manuel do Cenáculo’, and the closing lecture is held by Fernanda Campos, CHAM – NOVA FCSH researcher, on ‘Brother Manuel do Cenáculo and the Royal Printing House [Impressão Régia]: the Author and Publishing Promoter’s Activity’.

IN2PAST researchers Sandra Leandro, Ana Cristina Martins (IHC – UÉvora), Maria João Pereira Coutinho (IHA – NOVA FCSH), Andreia Santos Silva (CHAIA – UÉvora) and António Carvalho (IHC – NOVA FCSH) are also holding lectures on several topics. Check out the full 3-day programme here.