http://eventful.com/lisbon/events

Sensorial Lisbon
Blindfolded Walks
More images here.
Imagine what might be like to rediscover blindfolded the borough of Alfama: the narrow streets, the smell of grilled sardines, the sound of a Fado that can be heard from afar and so many others sensorial adventures…
Walks on foot in the Alfama Borough in which the participants have their eyes blindfolded and are guided by a blind guide from ACAPO (Association for the Visually Impaired) who shares his sensorial experiences. There are also a Lisbon Walker Guide who sets the historical contextualization of the route, and 4 other elements who help the participants.
The Project has two main goals:
- to provide a sensorial experience which aims to gather new knowledge of the surrounding space through the stimuli of the senses of smell, tact, taste and hearing and absense of vision.
- to bring awareness to the universe of the visually impaired, not as a limitation but instead in a positive and stimulating note in which the blind himself invite us to step into his own world of codes and references.
A Cabracega project with the cooperation of ACAPO and Lisbon Walker.

NOTE:
The walks will restart in 27th od September and will be organized by Lisbon Walker.
Useful information:
Dates: Last Saturday of each month
Booking in advance
Duration: 1.30 hMaximum of participants per walk :10
Price per person: 20 euros
For more information: 21.886.18.40 ou 96.357.56.35 /lisboa.sensorial@lisbonwalker.com/www.lisbonwalker.com

Portugal amongst world’s most peaceful countries

Portugal amongst world’s most peaceful countries
24/5/2008

Of the ten most peaceful countries in the world, amongst which Portugal ranks seventh, only one is not European, Japan, according to the Global Peace Index (GPI).

Compiled by the Australian Institute for Economy and Peace, based on data from British magazine ‘The Economist’s’ intelligence unit, the GPI has revealed that this year Portugal climbed three places on the top-ten list, to seventh place, in comparison to 2007.

Despite not even featuring on last year’s listing, the poll shows that Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, going straight to first place. Japan, the only non-European country amongst the top ten, ranks fifth.

At the opposite end of the scale, the most violent country is Iraq, followed by Somalia, Sudan, Afghanistan and Israel respectively.

On a global note, from 2007 to 2008, the report determines the world has become “slightly more peaceful”.

“It is encouraging but we need smaller, individually taken steps for each country, so the world can progress on the road to peace”, said Steve Killelea, Australian philanthropist and creator of Global Peace Index.

The GPI places Portugal as the most passive country in Southern Europe, ahead of countries like Italy, and Spain.

On a scale of one to five, Portugal has been classed as a two with regards to being a potential target for terrorism.

Edition: 960
http://www.the-news.net/

Staying In Lisbon

Have you stayed in Lisbon in one of our apartments? Would you like to share your experience? Suggestions or critics? Tips for the travel or about Lisbon. Please leave your comments here and share them with other people.
Thank you
Helena & Ana Rita

Lisbon Safest City in Europe

Lisbon: Europe's Safest City (again)

While greater coverage of crime in the mainstream Portuguese media appears to have generated a growing sense of insecurity among the locals, a study conducted by a consortium -- including Gallup, EU and the UN's UNICRI agencies -- has found that Lisbon is the safest [large] city in the European Union.

As opposed to accessing police crime registries, researchers interviewed thousands of inhabitants (between 1,200 and 5,000) in 18 countries to assess their own personal experiences with crime.

The "European Crime and Safety Survey" said the Portuguese capital was the safest, with only one in ten saying they had ever been affected by crime.

At the opposite end of the scale, the report, published earlier this week, unveils London as the most dangerous capital in which to live. London topped the crime league table, with 30 percent of the British capital’s residents saying they had been the victim of theft or burglaries.

Besides London, other crime hotspots identified by researchers were the Irish Republic, Estonia, Netherlands and Denmark, where “insecurity” rates were all at least 30 percent above the European average.

Source: www.the-news.net

Flamenco 2008 - Lisbon Festival

From March 25th till May 19th, Lisbon receives the Flamenco 2008 - Festival in Lisbon, an event that seeks to give the public a broader perspective of this dance and musical genre, which has its roots in Spain. In addition to these concerts there are exhibitions, films, lectures and workshops. For the first time the city is the scene of an event where the Flamenco, which has won many fans, is the main star.

Walk around on Sundays in Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço since it was the residence of the Portuguese Kings for almost two centuries, is one of the most emblematic squares in Lisbon. Facing River Tagus on the south and Arco da Rua Augusta on the north side, it was the stage for several events of the 20th century Portuguese history, like the assassination of King D. Carlos and his son in 1908, ending the Monarchy two years later, or the Carnation Revolution of April 25th, 1974, that led Portugal to a democracy after forty years of an authoritarian dictatorship.
On Sundays, Praça do Comércio is closed for car traffic, from 10 am till 5 pm. In this space are installed terraces, kiosks and a variety of entertainment, exhibitions, books, music, film and sport promoted by the City of Lisbon, turning this place into an area of culture and leisure.