“Salgueiro Maia – the Hero of the 25th of April” is the title of the most recent book by Vanda Furtado Marques, which tells children the story of the soldier who played a leading role in the end of the dictatorship in Portugal. The work that was presented at the Municipal Library of Alcobaça, on the 27th of April, was published to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the 25th of April.
“Salgueiro Maia was an example of a true hero, of someone who, out of love for his country, out of his desire to end the colonial war, which caused so much anguish and despair in young people and their families, and out of the need to end fascism , took the lead in the revolutionary process”, highlights the writer from Alcobac, speaking to REGIÃO DE CISTER.
“Remembering him is bringing hope that there are men who have dreams in their minds and courage in their chests to make the necessary change”, adds Vanda Furtado Marques.
Through this work, which features illustrations by Ana Mateus, the author intends to convey to younger people that, sometimes, life “can be hard”, but that it is necessary to “have the ability to welcome it and transform it into a gift”. “Salgueiro Mais never let his personal tragedies turn into hatred and anger. On the contrary, his suffering helped him understand the suffering of others,” he highlights.
Maintaining the collective memory of this emblematic personality is another of the main objectives of this children’s book, which should be read by the whole family.
The official launch of the publication, which had the support of the Municipality of Castelo de Vide, took place last Thursday, in Castelo de Vide, Salgueiro Maia’s hometown, as part of the Freedom celebrations.
Before “Salgueiro Maia – the Hero of the 25th of April”, Vanda Furtado Marques introduced children in a book to other historical figures such as Inês de Castro and D. Pedro, the Baker of Aljubarrota, D. Fuas Roupinho or D. Nuno Álvares Pereira.
