Ah, those crazy 90s in Lisbon! So close and yet so far from us

Ah, the 90s in Lisbon! It feels like a lifetime ago, yet the memories of that incredible "dinomania" are still vivid. We at Público remember it well, a time when a dinosaur exhibition captured the imagination of an entire nation, drawing crowds that stretched for miles. It wasn't just an exhibition; it was a cultural moment, a shared experience that brought people together in a way few events do.

The sheer scale of the "Dinosaurs Return to Lisbon" exhibition was astounding. For 11 weeks, from December 1993 into March 1994, the Rua da Escola Politécnica was the place to be. Over 346,000 visitors, from all corners of Portugal, flocked to see the lifelike mechanical replicas created by Japan's Kokoro company. It was a testament to the enduring fascination with these prehistoric giants, a fascination that transcended age and background.

Looking back, it's easy to see why it resonated so deeply. In a world that was rapidly changing, the dinosaurs offered a connection to a distant past, a sense of wonder, and a shared national talking point. It’s a reminder of how a well-executed cultural event can unite a city and a country, creating memories that last for decades. For us in Portugal, it was more than just seeing dinosaurs; it was about experiencing something extraordinary together.