Vila Verde celebrated the Carnation Revolution with different generations

The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April Revolution today mobilized, in Vila Verde, movements and people from different generations in a “true democratic demonstration to value determination in the process of building an increasingly better municipality for all people”.

“Continuing April is a permanent mission for peace and progress for our lands and our people”, projected the president of the City Council, Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes, in the solemn commemorative session, marked by several moments of cultural animation inspired by the Carnation Revolution.

The fanfare of the Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters led the popular procession from Praça do Município to Adega Cultural, where the ceremony took place, giving space to the intervention of the different political groups of the Municipal Assembly.

In the balance of the 50th anniversary of the Revolution, the recognition of the achievement of freedom and democracy as determinants in the country’s development process stood out, “despite the gaps and the path that still needs to be taken to ensure full compliance with the values ​​of April”.

In this “continuous process of implementation”, the Mayor called for “the mobilization and active participation of everyone”, giving an example of the Municipality’s commemorative program for the 50th anniversary of the Revolution, which includes the participation and involvement of local authorities, associations and other institutions, schools and groups of schools, entrepreneurs and residents of Vila Verde in general.

“All together, we work in an articulated and networked way. We will continue this journey that began 50 years ago, through Portugal and Vila Verde”, pointed out the mayor, particularly challenging the work in the municipality, which aims to be “increasingly more modern and competitive, more fair and inclusive, more supportive and increasingly attractive”.

Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes made a point of highlighting that “the Municipality of Vila Verde has not turned its back on the fight nor haggled over efforts to build a municipality in which everyone can live better and better”.

Listing a set of ongoing municipal investments, he assumed that “health and education are priority and fundamental areas for development that always puts people first”.

“We are also investing heavily in strengthening basic services, such as sanitation and water supply networks. We are working to reinforce and improve waste collection and management, with an intervention that we want to be increasingly sustainable and valuing natural resources”, added the mayor.

The requalification of the municipal road network, which “was heavily penalized by adverse weather conditions”, deserved special mention in the Municipality’s investments. The Municipality is also working to “guarantee new alternatives in terms of accessibility, such as access to the Oleiros Industrial Park and the future North-South Axis”. Regarding the intended construction of the EN 101 bypass in Vila Verde, the mayor said that she is “intensifying the efforts and the fight”.

Appeal to young people

At the end of the political interventions, the president of the Municipal Assembly of Vila Verde, Carlos Arantes, paid special attention to youth. With his eyes set on the future, he highlighted the call for young people to participate in politics and, in particular, in electoral events.

“Living in a democracy means, above all, having the opportunity to choose”, warned Carlos Arantes, warning that “lack of interest in voting is a dangerous precursor to dictatorship”. Therefore, he challenged everyone to strive “always more towards the democratization of freedom”.

The president of the Municipal Assembly also made a point of leaving a word of appreciation for people who hold public positions, making reference to the appointment of José Manuel Fernandes from Vila Verde as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries in the current government.

Listing some challenges facing today’s society and to which “decision makers are called upon to respond responsibly”, Carlos Arantes stressed the importance of consolidating the development process, because “you are only free when you have the right to choice, to health , education, housing, fundamental rights for a decent life”.

The commemorative session opened with a music and performance performance performed by the Initiation choir of the Vila Verde Music Academy, followed by political interventions by Samuel Estrada (president of the Junta de Atiães), Ricardo Cerqueira (from Bloco de Esquerda) , Paulo Gomes (CDS/PP), Pedro Araújo (PS) and Manuel Barros (PSD).

Singer Rogério Braga closed the ceremony, after a performance by the Vila de Prado Music School and the recitation of winning poems from the ‘Poemas de Abril’ competition – by Tomé Dias, representing the 3rd year of EB no. from Vila Verde, with the poem “In the little time of my grandparents”, and by Catarina Sousa and Mateus Sousa, with the poem “Flores de Liberdade” from the 4th year of Escola Básica Monsenhor Elísio Araújo.