A concert by Paulo de Carvalho, exhibitions, the presentation of medals and theater and cinema sessions are the highlights of the 50th anniversary of April 25 in Vila Nova de Gaia, in the district of Porto, the municipality announced.
The interpreter of “E depois do adeus”, the first song of the Carnation Revolution, will take to the stage of the Gaia Municipal Auditorium on Saturday at 21:30.
The program dedicated to the 50th anniversary of April 25 continues with solemn sessions in the 15 unions and parish councils, with the symbolic presentation of medals to personalities and entities linked to the local community.
In a press release, the city council chaired by socialist Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues lists other initiatives such as theater, music, cinema, dance and exhibitions, with emphasis on the promotion of films alluding to the revolutionary period, such as “Soares é Fixe!”, “Viagem ao Sol” or “Revolução (Sem) Sangue”.
On the 25th, there will be a civic parade between Jardim do Morro and PraÇa (Civic Center), and the usual solemn session at 10am, which this year will be held at the Serra do Pilar Barracks, as well as the Freedom Races in Madalena, which are races for boys and girls, children, beginners, juniors and a family race.
The program includes activities for the youngest with the Family Concerts on the 21st at 11am and the show “The 25th told and sung by children” at the Gaia Municipal Auditorium.
It will be up to the Per Mezzo Choir, accompanied by the Per Anima Orchestra from the Perosinho Music School, to recall themes and stories evocative of this date, with artistic direction by João Costa, Sandra Monteiro and Vera Aleixo.
Turning to music, the municipality is highlighting the concert “Liberdade, liberdade! – Mirror of what we are and what we want to be” on Sunday, at 9:30 p.m., also at the Gaia Municipal Auditorium, a show conceived by singer Helena Sarmento.
On the sports front, the 6th edition of the Freedom Race will take place on April 28 at 10:00 am, organized by “Nascidos para correr” and the Santa Marinha and São Pedro da Afurada Parish Council. The event consists of a 10-kilometre run and a five-kilometre walk, with no competition, starting and finishing at Avenida Diogo Leite, along the Douro River.
“Today, it is imperative to honor and preserve the legacy of April. The memory of the dictatorship and the extraordinary achievements of democratic Portugal is sometimes – too often – forgotten. After 50 years, censorship, torture and the colonial war have distanced themselves from their place in history. They have given way to a country that was able to create a National Health Service, a Public School that offers everyone the same opportunities. In which we can all vote and participate actively, and in freedom, in defining our future,” says Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, quoted in the council’s press release.
The program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of April 25 in Gaia began in March with the opening of the exhibition “In the wake of Freedom” curated by Agostinho Santos, at the Casa da Presidência.
The sculpture “The energy of April 25”, by Paulo Neves, was also inaugurated at the northern traffic circle of the Santo Ovídio junction.
