50 events for 50 years: UC celebrates milestone anniversary of 25 April Revolution
The University of Coimbra will host numerous performances, both indoors and outdoors, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution.
Da esquerda para a direita: Carlota Simões, Joana Barbosa de Melo, Cristina Freitas, Renato Daniel, Delfim Leão, Jorge Castilho, Manuel Portela, Sílvio Santos
© UC I DCOM
The University of Coimbra's celebrations programme for the 50th anniversary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution was presented this Monday, 8 January, at the UC 25 April Documentation Centre (CD25A).
Delfim Leão, UC Vice-Rector for Culture, Communication and Open Science, said: "The programme is rich, with a diverse range of performances, shows, exhibitions, debates and digital galleries. In the days surrounding 25 April and on the day itself, there will of course be an increased concentration of activities, reinforcing the symbolism of this day”.
The Vice-Rector added that the programme “will include around 50 initiatives, " emphasising the goal of “bringing the University together as one for the celebrations”.
Numerous partners have thus joined the celebration programme, such as the Academic Association of Coimbra (AAC), the Alumni Association of the University of Coimbra (AAEUC), as well as various cultural and educational support units of the UC, such as CD25A, the Gil Vicente Academic Theatre, the UC Press, the UC General Library, the UC Botanical Garden (JBUC) and the UC Health Sciences Library.
Founded 30 years ago, CD25A's mission is to make documentary material on Portugal's democratic transition available for scientific research, and it plays a crucial role in these celebrations. The centre's director, Cristina Freitas, mentions various initiatives in partnership with other entities, including ‘several travelling exhibitions, a short video to showcase April in a few minutes, and 'the planting of carnations in partnership with JBUC.'
Back in the late 1960s, Coimbra students were at the epicentre of the protests that paved the way for the 25 April revolution*, which is why the Academic Association of Coimbra (AAC) and the Alumni Association of the University of Coimbra (AAEUC) have been an integral part of the celebrations from the start. For AAC, "April is the past, the present and the future", prompting the President of the General Directorate, Renato Daniel, to allocate a special budget "for the sections [of AAC] carrying out activities in this context". He highlighted existing partnerships, including "a series with RTP" and collaboration with TAGV "for the screening of a documentary".
The president of AAEUC, Jorge Castilho, revealed that they have "different ideas and projects that reintroduce many of the protagonists and players from before 25 April. With initiatives for all tastes and ages, the celebrations of 25 April are already underway, with many activities on the agenda and many more to come".
The full programme can be found at www.uc.pt/cultura/25abril/programa. (In Portuguese only)
*Translator's note: On the 17th of April 1969, during a visit to the University of Coimbra by the President of Portugal and other high-ranking representatives of the authoritarian regime known as the Estado Novo [New State], which had been ruling the country since 1933, a young student called Alberto Martins, who was President of the AAC, and the voice of the students of Coimbra, asked to be given the floor. His request was denied. In the ensuing uproar, Martins climbed onto a chair and 'dared' to speak, leading to his arrest. This was the beginning of the Coimbra academic crisis of 1969, and the first stone was laid towards the Carnation Revolution that would take place five years later, on the 25th of April, 1974.