VILA VERDE (25 April) – The ‘sons of the revolution’ shone in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April in Vila Verde

The combat vehicle and the fanfare set the tone. At Adega Cultura, the red tones and carnations, as well as the ‘Freedom and Democracy’ exhibition, were the backdrop for a popular demonstration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April. On a day of political speeches, extensive and imbued with subliminal messages, the children and grandchildren of the revolution stood out, giving color, brightness, animation and passion to the celebrations.

Its red color even seems to have been chosen for the date. Between schoolwork alluding to the Revolution and many, many carnations, the Adega Cultural was, this morning, «dressed in April». The Solemn Session Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 25th of April included a Municipal Assembly and moments of various artistic manifestations.
The anniversary of the Carnation Revolution began, as tradition dictates, with the raising of flags.

Following the party, the Vila Verde Volunteer Firefighters Fanfare provides the first musical moment.

The population follows to the Adega Cultural, a building duly decorated for the date. The walls feature murals of school work and associations in the municipality, dedicated to the 25th of April.

The Beginners Class from the Vila Verde Music Academy was already on stage. The children, dressed as soldiers, from Minho and carrying carnations, performed the musical “The Girl Who Couldn’t Sing”.

With composition and musical direction by Vítor Oliveira and libretto and artistic direction by Lioba Vergely, the play tells the story of a child who, despite being banned from singing, uses his voice to inspire the Revolution.

The stage was also set by the Vila de Prado Music School. And Rogério Braga also came from Prado, to close with the national anthem.

MOMENTS OF THE CEREMONY – Road Network at the top of priorities

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», as advocated by the Mayor, Júlia Fernandes.

In a speech looking to the future, the mayor said that «continuing April is a permanent mission for peace and progress for our lands and our people».

Among other points, he mentioned the requalification of the municipal road network, which “was heavily penalized by adverse weather conditions”. 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 bypass to the EN 101 in Vila Verde, the mayor said that she is “intensifying the efforts and the fight”.

CARLOS ARANTES AND THE PARTICIPATION OF 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 an eye 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, highlighting that «lack of interest in voting is a dangerous precursor to dictatorship». Therefore, he challenged everyone to commit themselves “always more to the democratization of freedom”.

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) / see piece to be edited later.

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 nº2 of Vila Verde, with the poem “In the small 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.

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