The Avenida dos Aliados in Porto will again serve as the focal point for the celebrations of the Carnation Revolution, according to a press release from the city’s municipality. The festivities will commence on the night of April 24 and continue into the morning and afternoon of the holiday, which falls on a Thursday and Friday this year.
The Porto City Council details that on April 24, the celebrations will kick off with a tribute to Carlos Paredes, in the year marking the centenary of his birth. The homage is set to begin at 10:00 p.m., featuring a brief performance by a trio consisting of Agustin Lassalle on classical guitar, Ângelo Santos on bass clarinet, and Eduardo Baltar Soares on Portuguese guitar, celebrating a musical heritage that has contributed to the soundtrack of a nation in the making.
The municipality further elaborates that the performances will include “Variações sobre o Mondego” by Gonçalo Paredes, “Porto Santo” and “Dança dos Camponeses” by Carlos Paredes, and “Portugalicia” by Alcino Frazão.
Later that evening at 10:15 p.m., a concert by the local artist Capicua will take place on Avenida dos Aliados. The show follows the recent release of her latest album, “Um gelado antes do fim do mundo,” to be presented live.
In anticipation of a fireworks display at midnight, the historic Coral de Letras of the University of Porto will perform at 11:40 p.m. Founded in 1966 by Maestro José Luís Borges Coelho and currently under the direction of Maestro Pedro Guedes Marques for the past two years, the choir will add an enchanting touch to the evening’s events.
On April 25, festivities will begin at 10 a.m. at the Praça do General Humberto Delgado, located in front of the municipal building, featuring traditional games for all generations.
At 2:30 p.m., there will be a customary tribute to the anti-fascist resistors at Largo de Soares dos Reis, near the former PIDE headquarters. From there, the Freedom Parade will proceed towards the Aliados, passing through Avenida Rodrigues de Freitas, Rua de D. João IV, Rua de Santo Ildefonso, Rua de Passos Manuel, Rua de Sá da Bandeira, Praça de D. João I, and Rua de Rodrigues Sampaio.
Music will return to Avenida dos Aliados at 3 p.m., with a presentation by the Cantar Abril project. Established in 2024 by users of the Association of Night Shelters of Porto and social intervention technicians, the group aims to reinterpret music that marked the revolution and the defense of human rights, with fresh meanings, under the slogan “If April were fulfilled, our roof wouldn’t be the street,” according to the Porto City Council.
At 4 p.m., an intervention by the Committee for the Popular Celebrations of April 25 will take place, followed 15 minutes later by a concluding concert by Retimbrar. One year after the release of their second album, “Levantar do Chão,” the group of eight musicians invites the public on Avenida dos Aliados for a dance featuring traditional Portuguese music and promises to revisit lesser-known works by composers like José Afonso and Carlos Paredes.
The official celebrations, organized by the Porto Municipality, are held in collaboration with Ágora, the city’s culture and sports company, and the Committee for the Popular Celebrations of April 25.
