“Art is a summary of nature made by imagination”
The Círculo Eça de Queiroz is an intellectual and social association founded in 1940 by the initiative of António Ferro (with the name of the patron suggested by António Lopes Ribeiro), with the aim of fostering good relations among its members and guests, as well as promoting a love for literature and the arts through conferences, exhibitions, and concerts.
Since its foundation, despite many challenges, the Círculo has sought to contribute to the intellectual and social elevation of Portuguese life.
Great figures of Portuguese and international culture have passed through the Círculo as guests or lecturers. Its first honorary member was Maurice Maeterlinck, Nobel Prize winner in Literature. Other distinguished visitors include T.S. Eliot, also a Nobel Prize winner in Literature, as well as Graham Greene and Gabriel Marcel. In 1942, Gregorio Marañón gave a lecture at this club, which was later published. Among Brazilian writers, notable figures such as Gustavo Barroso, Plínio Salgado, Luís Viana Filho, Herberto Sales, Josué Montello, and António Carlos Villaça have participated. The last three authors recorded their experiences at the Círculo in their memoirs. Ortega y Gasset and Eugénio Montes also contributed to the cultural prestige of the Círculo.
In January 1946, the Círculo organized a series of conferences to mark the centenary of Eça de Queiroz.
In the 1980s, the Board worked to restore the Círculo Eça de Queiroz to the spirit of its founder through the cultural initiative “Serões Queirosianos.” Of the more than 50 lectures given during this period, the cycle dedicated to the “Vencidos da Vida” stands out, later compiled into a book in 1989.
In 1994, the Círculo welcomed as lecturers Prof. Fraga Iribarne, President of the Government of Galicia, and Prof. Miguel Reale, President of the Brazilian Academy of Philosophy.
During the 1990s, another cultural initiative was the introduction of “weekly teas,” followed by debates on a wide range of topics.
For some time, the Círculo Eça de Queiroz also collaborated with the Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra, which performed a monthly recital at the venue.
Throughout its more than 70 years of existence, this association has maintained exchanges with various public and private entities, including:
- Historical Society for the Independence of Portugal
- Luso-Brazilian Institute of Philosophy
- Academy of History
- Academy of Sciences
- Brazilian Academy of Philosophy
- Grémio Literário
- National Center for Culture
- Group of Friends of Lisbon
- Eça de Queiroz Foundation
- IADE
- Embassies of Spain, Brazil, Israel, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- National Commission for the Eça de Queiroz Centenary
Several similar clubs across Europe and Brazil have preferential relations with the Círculo Eça de Queiroz, particularly in the exchange of services for their members. Among them are “Le Cercle de l’Union Interalliée” (Paris); the “Savile Club,” the “National Liberal Club,” the “City University Club,” and the “Eccentric Club” (London); the “Società del Giardino” (Milan); the Real Gran Peña (Madrid); the “Sociedad Bilbaina” (Navarra); the “Cercle de Lorraine” (Brussels); the “Grêmio Luso-Brasileiro” (São Paulo); and the Royal Canadian Military Institute, Toronto – Canada.
The Círculo Eça de Queiroz is funded by member contributions and revenue from various activities. It has occasionally received financial support from the Gulbenkian Foundation and the Secretary of State for Culture.
This association is committed to continuing its mission through conferences, concerts, and exhibitions, following an annually planned cultural program.
The Círculo Eça de Queiroz has a restricted number of 202 members in Category A. This number was inspired by an imaginary mansion on the Champs-Élysées, where one of the fictional characters created by Portuguese writer Eça de Queiroz, Jacinto, lived in the 19th century in Paris. Over time, the club has admitted a few members exceeding the 202 limit, who enjoy all social rights except voting. These additional members, known as supernumerary members, remain on a waiting list for Category A.
Given the cultural atmosphere cultivated in the historic Chiado district and the artistic heritage housed in its headquarters, the Círculo was officially granted Public Utility status in 2005.