The story of an institution is, at its heart, a collection of the stories of all those who shape it. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Champalimaud Foundation, we have chosen to tell 20 of these stories.

Much like how the Foundation itself has evolved over the past two decades, 20 Years, 20 Stories is the result of a free and collaborative process, open to experimentation.
We explored ideas, listened, and talked with 20 people. We pieced together and combined words, images and sounds, seeking and creating different strategies and tools along the way. And throughout this journey, we recognised the challenge of building something solid and robust, yet flexible and constantly transforming.

Each story starts from a different angle – from behind-the-scenes work to the building of a community, to achievements and global impact. But inevitably, these stories touch and intertwine, and those angles become unseen. 

These are stories of curiosity, courage and trust.
Reconstructions of the past and exercises in imagining the future.
They reflect different cultures, languages and ways of thinking which, together, broaden how we observe and understand the world.

It is this diversity that we sought to capture in each text, portrait-collage, photograph and melody: mosaics of people and moments that define what the Champalimaud Foundation is today, and how it projects itself into tomorrow.
They are echoes of time, transformation and dreams.

Even if many stories remain untold, may these 20 serve as an invitation to inspire reflection, spark curiosity and offer deeper understanding of the people and ideas shaping the Champalimaud Foundation.

May we never run out of stories capable of transcending time.
Congratulations, Champalimaud Foundation.

Communication, Events & Outreach Team