50 years of the 25th of April: the plan for celebrations in Lisbon

The program of the Commemorative Commission of 50 years of April 25th in Lisbon, on Thursday, it begins with a military ceremony at Terreiro do Paço in the presence of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The celebrations, starting at 9:00 am, include at 09:40 the historical recreation “Operation end of regime”started the day before at the Cavalry Practice School, in Santarém, with the collaboration of the Portuguese Association of Ancient Military Vehicles.

A replica of the column commanded by captain Salgueiro Maia, who left Santarém towards Lisbon 50 years ago, arrives at Terreiro do Paço in time to parade before Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and other entities.

Old Army vehicles are parked there until 12:00providing interaction between citizens and the April military personnel present.

“A ‘M47 Patton’ combat car will also be on display, representing the military forces loyal to the Government of Marcelo Caetano”, informs the Commemorative Commission, led by historian and executive commissioner Maria Inácia Rezola.

The commission “joins the collective mobilization to mark 50 years since the overthrow of the dictatorship and celebrate 50 years of freedom”, on the streets of Lisbon, calling on citizens to follow “the paths of revolution”.

The successful coup carried out half a century ago by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA) overthrew the authoritarian regime in force for 48 years in Portugal, first as the National Dictatorship, after the 28th of May 1926, and then with Salazar’s Estado Novo. , when the corporate-inspired Constitution came into force in 1933.

At 11:30, the solemn ceremony takes place at the Assembly of the Republic, in São Bento. commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April.

Meanwhile, in downtown Lisbon, the recreation “Operation end of regime” resumes at 12:00.

“The old military vehicles begin the recreation of the march on the Carmo Barracks and the siege of the place. The route taken in 1974 will be reconstructed, leaving Terreiro do Paço to Rossio, going up Rua do Carmo and Rua do Sacramento “, according to the program.

The vehicles, which symbolize the MFA, are then displayed in Largo do Carmo, until 4:00 pmwith the Carmo Barracks open to the public all day.

Organized by the Popular Celebrations Promotion Committee, the traditional 25 de Abril parade, on Avenida da Liberdade, starts at 3:00 pm, ending at Rossiowhere political interventions and cultural moments take place.

At 4:00 pm, the historical reenactment begins again in Largo do Carmofrom where a military column leaves for the Pontinha barracks, staging the transportation of the deposed president of the Council, Marcelo Caetano, to the MFA command post, where the coup strategist and then Major Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho highlighted.

The celebrations begin this Wednesday in Lisbon, Porto and Santarém

In Lisbon, the celebrations begin this Wednesday, at 22:00, at Terreiro do Paço, with the show “Uma idea de futuro” and the video mapping “25 de Abril, Thursday”.

In the audiovisual show, with free entry, six young people participate “who draw a portrait of today’s Portugal and show the path taken”, in addition to 180 musicians who create the soundtrack based on themes by José Afonso, José Mário Branco, Sérgio Godinho , Fausto, Adriano Correia de Oliveira, Fernando Lopes Graça and Carlos Paredes.

Also for this Wednesday, at 10:15 pm, in Porto, on Avenida dos Aliados, the concert “Aliados à Liberdade” and the projection of the same ‘video mapping’ are scheduled.

Canto Nono, Vozes da Rádio and Coral de Letras from the University of Porto participate. Pedro Lamares and Odete Moço will also be on stage, combining voices with poetry.

In Santarémthe program starts this Wednesday, at 9:00 p.m., and includes video mapping and the piece “This is the dawn I was waiting for”directed by Rita Lello and written by Colonel Correia Bernardo.

According to a study by the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon and ISCTE – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, released on Friday, April 25, 1974 is the most important fact in the History of Portugal for 65% of respondents.