Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo

The Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo is a Portuguese cultural, recreational and social association based in Lisbon. It was founded on 26 May 1872, making it one of the older surviving philharmonic and recreational societies in the Portuguese capital. Although it began with the ambition of forming a philharmonic band, the society evolved over more than a century into a broad cultural and social institution, and today its principal activity is ballroom dancing and competitive dance. The society was created on the initiative of a group of police corporals from the Santa Isabel parish in Lisbon. Their original intention was to establish a philharmonic band called União e Capricho, but with insufficient members and an unwillingness to open the group to civilian members, that initial idea failed. Later, the police corporals joined with civilians from the area to create the Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo. Its first premises were on Rua de São João dos Bem Casados; the headquarters later moved to Rua da Arrábida, 70, 1.º, and on 18 August 1956 it was transferred to Rua Silva Carvalho, 225, where it still operates. Over the decades the association has maintained continuous activity and has become particularly associated with dance. It counts recognised sportspeople among its members and works with internationally accredited teachers. The society has defined dance as a priority and has won numerous awards and recognition in that field. On 30 January 1993 it was made an Honorary Member of the Order of Merit (Membro-Honorário da Ordem do Mérito), a Portuguese state honour recognising its services to culture and society. As a non-profit association rather than a commercial company, the Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo operates as a membership-based cultural institution. Its brand identity rests on its long history, its Lisbon headquarters, and its competitive dance tradition, which continues to attract members and participants in the present day.

The Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo was founded on 26 May 1872 in Lisbon, Portugal. It originated from the initiative of a group of police corporals from the Santa Isabel parish. Their initial plan was to form a philharmonic band named União e Capricho. However, because they had insufficient members and did not wish to open the group to civilian members, that initial idea failed. Subsequently, the police corporals united with civilians from the area to create the Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo. The society's first premises, where its first headquarters operated, were on Rua de São João dos Bem Casados. Years later the headquarters moved to Rua da Arrábida, 70, 1.º. On 18 August 1956, the headquarters was transferred to Rua Silva Carvalho, 225, where it still operates today. Over more than a century of continuous activity, the association evolved from its philharmonic origins into a broader cultural, recreational and social institution. In the modern era, it has defined dance as its priority, with ballroom dancing (Dança de Salão) and competitive dance (Dança Desportiva) as its main activities. The society counts recognised sportspeople among its members and works with internationally accredited teachers, and it has won numerous awards and recognition in dance. On 30 January 1993, the Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo was made an Honorary Member of the Order of Merit (Membro-Honorário da Ordem do Mérito), a Portuguese state honour. The association remains active in Lisbon, based at its Rua Silva Carvalho headquarters.

• 1993

  Made an Honorary Member of the Order of Merit (Membro-Honorário da Ordem do Mérito).

• 1956

  Headquarters transferred to Rua Silva Carvalho, 225, Lisbon.

• 1872

  Founded in Lisbon on 26 May 1872.

A historic, non-profit Lisbon cultural and recreational association with a strong tradition in ballroom and competitive dance.

• Ballroom dancing (Dança de Salão)

  One of the society's two main current activities.

• Competitive dance (Dança Desportiva)

  One of the society's two main current activities, with recognised sportspeople and internationally accredited teachers.

1. 1Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Sociedade Filarmónica Alunos de Apolo – Wikipedia (Portuguese)pt.wikipedia.org