Salgueiro Maia chose Pombal, the city where he lived as a teenager, to celebrate May 1st in 1974, “with the people, his friends and family”. Half a century later, Pombal chose Labor Day to pay tribute to him with the award, posthumously, of the Medal of Honor, Gold grade, from the Municipality.
The life path of the ‘captain of April’ was also evoked with the inauguration of a large mural, designed by João Ribeiro from Pombal. The work, “more than 10 meters tall, took about a week to produce”, says the young artist, visibly “proud of the opportunity and responsibility” given. After all, “it is necessary to preserve memory so that history does not die”, he highlights.
Minutes before, the Main Hall of the Town Hall was filled to welcome Natércia Maia, widow of the ‘captain’, to whom the medal of honor was presented. “A tribute to a true hero, symbol of courage, determination and justice”, which personalizes “the noblest values of society”, considers Pedro Pimpão, president of Pombal City Council, while describing Salgueiro Maia as “a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty”, emblematic figure, “man of principles and icon of ethics”.
The mayor took advantage of the moment of “reflection” to leave the idea that “freedom is the dynamo of creativity, innovation and the search for progress, but freedom does not flourish without democracy”. However, “freedom and democracy are not automatic or perpetual guarantees”, they are rather “achievements that need to be constantly defended against all forms of authoritarianism or intolerance”. Therefore, “it becomes increasingly important to reaffirm our commitment to freedom and democracy” and defend these values “fiercely”, he highlights.
In his last intervention as commissioner for the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April in Pombal, Luís Marques considered that “we could not end this cycle in the best way”, referring to the tribute paid to the “generous and unique” Salgueiro Maia, who “ During his lifetime he did not receive the attention he deserved, but he occupies a unique place in the hearts of the Portuguese, who will not forget him”, he guarantees.
With a friendly and modest air, Natércia Maia considers the tribute “an act of justice” and assumes that “it [Fernando José Salgueiro Maia] I would be very proud.” In the brief words spoken, the former teacher chose to share unique memories, of “an exceptional human being”. Pombal ended the celebrations of the Carnation Revolution with a flourish.
ANA LAURA DUARTE
[NOTÍCIA DA EDIÇÃO IMPRESSA]
