Jamaika Is Portugal Too

Jamaika Is Portugal too is the original title of a story by journalist Rita Colaço (Antena 1, 2017), which focuses on denouncing inequalities in the access to housing, starring the residents of Vale de Chícharos, in Seixal. The installation Model of Jamaika presents a model of Block 10, recently demolished as part of the rehousing process that has been taking place since 2018 and was due to end in 2022. This work – the result of a collaboration between the Social Development Association of the Residents of Vale de Chícharos, CHÃO – Oficina de Etnografia Urbana, José Sarmento Matos and Paulo Moreira – portrays the residents’ struggle for dignity and debates in the face of daily precariousness and the uncertainty of the rehousing process. The public programme aims to discuss the experience lived by these and many other people who face the same hardships in the most diverse latitudes of the territory.

25/06/2021

18.00 – Urbanism & Politics: Who do public programmes serve?
The session shows examples of interventions in neighbourhoods in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, using public policy tools and promoted by the residents themselves.
Duration: 90 min

Debate with Rui Gomes (architect), Tânia Brito (architect, Associação de Moradores e Proprietários do Zambujal), Associação de Desenvolvimento Social de Vale de Chícharos and Isabel Raposo (coordinator of the projet África Habitat, FAUL)
Moderator: Paulo Moreira (architect and researcher)  

20.00 – Documentary & Music: Who do the works outside the neighbourhoods serve? 
The session reflects on the impact of works carried out by people from outside the neighbourhoods, based on the documentary project by photographer José Sarmento Matos, in collaboration with the residents of the Bairro da Jamaica neighbourhood.
Duration: 90 min

Documentart by José Sarmento Matos
Concert with Kid Robinn 

Debate with José Sarmento Matos (photographer), Kid Robinn (rapper), Aurora Coxi, Manuela Pedro, Alda Pontes (residents in Bairro da Jamaica)
Moderated by Ana Rita Alves (CHÃO – Oficina de Etnografia Urbana) 

26/06/2021

15.00 – Corporealities & Expressions: What do the children say? 
The session is a work of body expression from workshops (theatre and dance) developed with children and young people from/in the Bairro da Jamaica neighbourhood, guided by the art-educator António Ferreira (CHÃO – Oficina de Etnografia Urbana)
With: Analise Reis, Carina Candô, Daniela Nascimento, Isabel Martins, Jucelma Candô, Letícia Diquiane, Lurdes Menezes, Sol Abel. 
Duration: 90 min

17.00 – The Right to Housing & Rehousing: How, when and for whom? 
The session features a conversation between residents, representatives of associations, grassroots collectives and politicians about questions that have so far gone unanswered by public bodies. 
Duration: 90 min

Debate with: Almerindo Prudêncio (Grupo Habitação Comunidades Ciganas), Cátia Silva (Coletivo de moradores do Bairro 6 de Maio), Francelina Silva (Coletivo de Moradores do Bairro 6 de Maio), Helena Roseta (architect), Ricardina Cuthbert (Associação Torre Amiga) e Rita Silva (Associação Habita)
Moderation: Vanusa Coxi (Associação de Desenvolvimento Social de Vale de Chícharos (A.D.S.V.C.) and CHÃO – Oficina de Etnografia Urbana)