Today Portugal Celebrates
50 Years of Freedom...
Today, all across Portugal, people are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Carnation Revolution … Freedom Day.1 In many cities, including VRSA, there have been special events all week!
If you are unfamiliar with this important event in Portuguese history, I would recommend you read this post. The parallels I referenced two years ago are even more clear today.
If you have the time you might want to also watch the YouTube video I referenced in this short post or learn about the Portuguese Constitution that was written after the revolution.
Finally, let me recommend another great source of Portuguese news Portugal Decoded. If you are living or planning to live in Portugal you will want to subscribe. It was there that I found this summary of the advances made by the Portuguese people over the last 50 years. Congratulations Portugal!
A América está a mostrar ao mundo que as democracias são frágeis... Apreciem a vossa democracia hoje e todos os vossos amanhãs
Nanc
When we entered the public school for our Portuguese class last night, we found student artwork; a sample of which is shown below.
Am I the only one that sees the irony of the former President’s immunity case going before the Supreme Court on the same day Portugal celebrates its liberation from a dictator?
No, you are not the only one to see that irony. Congratulations to Portugal on their flourishing democracy. I pray they remember they value of it and importance of nourishing it for many years to come.
Unlike a certain country I'm thinking of at the moment...
Love it!!!
"Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Revolução dos Cravos (Carnation Revolution) in Portugal - a truly monumental event that ended nearly five decades of authoritarian rule and ushered in democracy to this wonderful country I now call home.
As an American expat who moved to Portugal 7 years ago, I am constantly in awe of the rich history and resilient spirit of the Portuguese people. To commemorate this historic milestone, I want to share an interesting video from the Thames Archive channel's YouTube page. The footage offers a fascinating glimpse into the 1974 revolution through archival clips and firsthand accounts.
While this video provides an intriguing window into that era, the true power lies in the courage of the Portuguese citizens who fought tirelessly for their freedom and democratic rights we all enjoy today.
On this 50th anniversary, I feel incredibly grateful to the lovely people of Portugal for allowing us expats to be part of their celebrations and national identity. Communities across the country are hosting events to mark this occasion, and I encourage my fellow expats to participate alongside the locals.
By learning about Portugal's journey to democracy and joining in the commemorations, we honor the sacrifices made and renew our appreciation for this nation that has so humbly welcomed us. We are truly lucky to call Portugal home and experience its vibrant culture firsthand.
Let's celebrate the Carnation Revolution together - expats and Portuguese alike - united in our commitment to democratic values that make this country so special."
Here is the YouTube link with the original footage.
https://youtu.be/36K79SUiRFI?si=tD_7Q6ynQLLJWgpQ