Out of the Norm Experience

09/12/2025

Hey Peoples👋

Fancy brushing up on your Portuguese (or helping others learn) without leaving the warmth of your burner? We’ve just kicked off a brand-new community on Skool where we share cool stuff about Portuguese language, history, and culture - all inspired by our Feel the Pulse of Portuguese sessions at The Space in Oliveira do Hospital. If you missed out or want a refresher on the songs and content we went through, get involved here!
👉 Skool: https://www.skool.com/out-of-the-norm-portugal-4457

It’s a chilled space where everyone can jump in, share learning tips, funny language fails, local stories, or cultural tidbits. Basically, if it’s Portuguese and it makes you smile, it belongs there!
There's also a Telegram and a WhatsApp group for regular bite-sized bits of Portuguese language, general chat and a Sunday Slice of topical Portuguese History every weekr.
Come join us wherever you feel most comfy:

We're going to try hanging out online every Thursday at 18:00 for an hour to get a bit of Portuguese conversation practice in, really relaxed, perfect for keeping the language flowing even when it’s too cold to go out. Once the weather livens up, we’ll get back to some in-person meetups, we've got a fine selection of Portuguese songs to sing together lined up for you🎶

So whether you’re trying to learn or a local happy to give a hand, come say hi! 💬🔥
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Olá a todos 👋

Estamos à procura de portugueses que queiram ajudar estrangeiros a aprender a nossa língua e a conhecer melhor a cultura portuguesa. A ideia é simples: criar pontes, corrigir com simpatia e partilhar o que faz Portugal especial. 🇵🇹

Criámos uma comunidade no Skool, aberta e descontraída, onde falamos sobre língua, história e cultura — inspirada nas sessões Feel the Pulse of Portuguese no The Space, em Oliveira do Hospital. É um espaço onde quem está a aprender pode colocar dúvidas e praticar, e quem é português pode apoiar, explicar e orientar.
👉 Skool: https://www.skool.com/out-of-the-norm-portugal-4457

Também temos grupos no Telegram e WhatsApp com pequenas partilhas diárias de português, curiosidades culturais e um Sunday Slice sobre História de Portugal.

Todas as quintas-feiras às 18:00, juntamo-nos online para praticar português de forma leve e descontraída. Quando o tempo melhorar, haverá também encontros presenciais e momentos com música portuguesa 🎶

Se gostam de ajudar e partilhar o vosso português com quem está a aprender, venham fazer parte. Toda a contribuição conta — e faz mesmo a diferença. 🤝

19/11/2025

Out of these emperors with their untimely deaths, Augustus had the most impact in Portugal, founding the city of Bracara Augusta in 16bc, which later became known and loved as Braga.

The end of Roman emperors.

15/11/2025

Joined rehearsals for Anoitecer over a month ago, and it’s been an amazing journey. 🎭 Not only has it helped my Portuguese, but it’s also opened my eyes to the creative scene here - I didn’t even realise Carregal do Sal had a theatre!

Grateful for this experience and excited for the show on 29 November. If you want a sneak peek, check out this video by the talented 🎥

Big thanks to for making this happen! #

04/11/2025

“You look STUPID!”

And that’s exactly what learning a new language is all about. A lot of people have asked me, “Why are you running a fancy dress event for learning Portuguese? That sounds ridiculous!”
Maybe it is - but that’s the point! 🎭

When we learn a language as adults, one of the biggest hurdles we face is getting comfortable with feeling a little silly. We stumble, mispronounce, and laugh our way through a whole new world of expression. And honestly, after Halloween, who doesn’t love another excuse to dress up again? 👻✨

Come dressed as anything from the past if you like - it’s totally optional. 🕰️

If you’d rather just boost your Portuguese and feel less like an idiot on a day to day basis that's cool too. Come join us for a fun, relaxed session. You’ll pick up language hacks, tips, and cultural insights from João that go far beyond grammar rules. 💡🇵🇹

This week’s theme: Talking about the Past - what we did, what we were doing, what we used to do. Learn how to tell your own story in Portuguese. 🗣️ It's time to stop living in the moment 😅

Everyone’s welcome, no matter your level! 🎥🌍
Quem quiser ajudar, será muito bem-vindo.

Check out the video below to see what our sessions are like. Big shout out to Frankie for putting together this and all the recent Portuguese videos. You are a 💎 Contact her on insta

07/10/2025

October 7th in Oliveira do Hospital – When News Traveled at the Speed of Horses
On October 7th, 1910, Oliveira do Hospital proclaimed the Portuguese Republic two days after Lisbon had already done so on October 5th. 🇵🇹
In an era without smartphones, television, or instant communication, news traveled by telegram, newspaper, and word of mouth. What took seconds to share today could take days or weeks to reach distant towns.The revolutionary proclamation that ended 771 years of monarchy had to make its way from Lisbon to our mountains, carried by messengers and telegraph operators. Yet when it finally arrived, our community embraced the dawn of a new era with the same enthusiasm that defines us today.
Today, we celebrate not just the Republic, but also how far we've come, from waiting days for news to sharing moments instantly, while keeping the same spirit of unity that brought us through history's greatest changes. ⚡📜

7 de Outubro em Oliveira do Hospital – Quando as Notícias Viajavam à Velocidade dos CavalosNo dia 7 de outubro de 1910, Oliveira do Hospital proclamou a República Portuguesa dois dias depois de Lisboa já o ter feito em 5 de outubro. 🇵🇹
Numa era sem telemóveis, televisão ou comunicação instantânea, as notícias viajavam por telegrama, jornal e boca a boca. O que hoje demora segundos a partilhar podia levar dias ou semanas a chegar às terras distantes.A proclamação revolucionária que pôs fim a 771 anos de monarquia teve de fazer o seu caminho de Lisboa até às nossas serras, transportada por mensageiros e telegrafistas. Mas quando finalmente chegou, a nossa comunidade abraçou o despertar de uma nova era com o mesmo entusiasmo que nos define hoje.
Hoje celebramos não só a República, mas também o quanto evoluímos, de esperar dias pelas notícias a partilhar momentos instantaneamente, mantendo sempre o mesmo espírito de união que nos trouxe pelas maiores mudanças da história. ⚡📜

07/10/2025

🎤 This week at The Space!
Two events, one great vibe - both donation based!🎶

Thursday 18:30 - 20:30
Sing your heart out at our final Feel the Pulse of Portuguese session with Zeca Afonso’s “Canção de embalar.” Learn a bit of language, a bit of culture, and have a lot of fun! 🇵🇹🧠

Saturday 18:30 - 21:00
Quiz Night is back! The stakes are low, but the competition is fierce. Gather your smartest (or funniest) friends and join the fun!📍The Space - R. Dr. Albano Mendes de Abreu 2-A, Oliveira do Hospital
🎁 Bring a friend, share this post, and let’s fill The Space with good vibes and a little bit of healthy rivalry!

23/09/2025

06/08/2025

🌟 Quiz Night Highlights at The Space, August 2nd 🌟

What a sendoff for the summer! On August 2nd, The Space in Oliveira do Hospital was packed to the rafters with quizzers. We even ran out of seats - more chairs are definitely on the list for autumn. The atmosphere was lively and full of community energy, with everyone ready for some good-natured competition.

This quiz night marked the introduction of the brand new Porteagle Trophy, adding a touch of prestige for the winners. Among the teams raising the stakes, the previous champions from Fourmidables and Make Cake not War formed a power alliance - setting the bar higher than ever.

Stealing the show, however, were “The Knowledge” (Will, Kate, and Steve) who actually showed up for Storytelling Night but found themselves in the quiz hot seat instead. Not letting it break their stride, they got right involved and, in an unexpected twist, scooped the Porteagle Trophy on a Viriato-themed tiebreaker from the Clueless crew. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time really does pay off. As quizmaster there were a few questionable calls, I'll admit, but an Arctic Tern really does migrate 71000km or more!!

Missed all the action? Not to worry - more community adventures await at The Space:

🗓 Thursday, August 14th: Portuguese Proverbs with Ross and João. Improve your Portuguese and have a bit of fun with people trying to do the same. https://fb.me/e/638m2a8bd
🗓 Saturday, August 16th: “Courage” themed Storytelling Night. An evening of connection listening to peoples true stories, Come and just listen or tell your own too. https://fb.me/e/35p1cFws1

Both events promise plenty of wit, warmth, and those “only at The Space” moments. Whether you are a regular or a first-timer, come along, bring a friend, and join in the spirit of the place.

We'll be back in the Autumn with the continuation of the prestigious Porteagle Trophy Quiz and you can challenge The Knowledge for the lineal quiz championship.

For full event details and updates, check www.thespaceportugal.com. RSVP, tell your mates, or simply show up - just remember to come hungry for laughter and Louises amazing cake.

30/07/2025

Quiz night is back this Saturday, August 2nd, and it’s a special one — the last quiz of the summer! 🌞🧠 Come mark the occasion with a bit of lighthearted competition and plenty of community spirit.

BYOB 🍷 to get your quiz juices flowing (responsibly, of course), and bring a snack to pass around — whether it’s homemade or something grabbed from the café, it’s all fair game. 🍪🧀

As always, it’s low-stakes, high-fun, and the bragging rights last — at least until the autumn quizzes roll around.

Event details here, Click Going, See you there. ✍️😁 https://fb.me/e/4OxLDOvZD



Full list of events at The Space here www.thespaceportugal.com