Professor Susana Marinho, PhD, a psychologist and lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology (FP), led a session on “Mindfulness in Silent Reading”, as part of the Convergente Programme of Anozero’26 – Coimbra Biennial, at the invitation of the Biennial’s curatorial team.

Inspired by the international Silent Book Club movement, the session, which took place on 20 June, invited participants to enjoy an hour of silent reading followed by a guided mindfulness session, away from screens. The event took place against the backdrop of the architecture and tranquillity of the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova, both indoors and outdoors. Participants were encouraged to bring their own books and enjoy the silence, in keeping with the Biennial’s overarching theme: “Giving, Holding and Receiving”. After the reading, the programme included a brief sharing of experiences amongst those present, highlighting the importance of these moments of pause for physical and mental wellbeing.