The president of the National Association of Parishes (Anafre), Jorge Veloso, stated that despite inquiries from various parishes about whether to maintain the April 25 celebrations due to the national mourning period, his stance and that of Anafre is to proceed with the events. He emphasized that these are not grand festivities.
Veloso noted that the traditional parade on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon is scheduled for Friday, and thus sees no reason for parish celebrations to be canceled. “There might be some attempt to undermine April 25,” he commented.
This afternoon, the National Association of Municipal Assemblies (ANAM) issued a recommendation that all municipal assemblies in the country should proceed with ceremonies and celebrations marking April 25, a pivotal date in Portuguese democracy, while observing guidelines such as half-masting the national flag and exercising caution with public festivities.
ANAM advises municipal bodies to commemorate the date with dignity, moderation, and in strict accordance with the legal guidelines stemming from the national mourning period.
Several municipalities have canceled or postponed entirely or partially the commemorations of the Carnation Revolution during the three-day national mourning period – from today until Saturday – declared by the Government (PSD/CDS-PP) on Wednesday following the death of the head of the Catholic Church.
The Municipality of Guarda, for instance, postponed scheduled inaugurations and a concert by Rodrigo Leão, maintaining only the formal session. Similarly, the municipalities of Beja and Almada (district of Setúbal) canceled fireworks displays but upheld the rest of their programs. In Almada’s case, the fireworks will be held on May 1.
Póvoa de Varzim, in the district of Porto, chose to cancel all commemorative events, including sports and cultural events.
In Sintra, district of Lisbon, the municipality canceled both the flag-raising ceremony and the shows at the Olga Cadaval Cultural Center. A sold-out concert by The Black Mamba has been rescheduled for April 28.
On Wednesday, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, announced that the Government canceled all “festive agenda” and postponed April 25 celebrations, explaining that the national mourning for the Pope requires restraint in commemorations. This decision has faced criticism from some left-wing parties.
Without specific details on the type of restraint that public institutions such as municipalities should adhere to, Leitão Amaro stated that the Government postponed the “festive moments” of the Carnation Revolution celebrations to a “subsequent date” and that members of the executive canceled all festive agenda events such as inaugurations and celebrations.
“We have communicated, and continue to communicate, to organizing entities that we will not participate in these celebratory events during this period, which is a time of profound and sincere tribute and mourning,” he said.
Today, the Government clarified that the decree establishing national mourning for Francisco does not impose any restrictions on April 25 celebrations by public or private entities, only delineates the conduct of executive members.
The decree “does not impose or set, on its own, any specific measures or restrictions on the activities of public or private entities or individuals,” but merely “establishes the mourning and respective dates,” according to an official note from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers meant to clarify “raised doubts.”
The conduct options defined by the Government apply to its members, and at no point were instructions given concerning the activities of other entities (including municipalities and associations) or the populace, as per the statement.
Addressing the 51st-anniversary celebrations of April 25 directly, the Government indicated that it will participate in the formal session held in the Portuguese Parliament, as well as in official ceremonies organized by municipalities, during which there should be “tributes to Pope Francis, including a moment of silence.”
The festive events planned for the Prime Minister’s official residence “have been postponed to the following May 1, but were not canceled,” the statement clarifies.
“The traditional opening of the Official Residence (gardens and ground floor), with the distribution of red carnations, will be maintained on April 25,” adds the note from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
On Wednesday, before the decree was approved, both the head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and the president of the Parliament, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, emphasized that the April 25 session in Parliament would go ahead as planned.
Updated at 5:41 PM.
