The President of the Republic said this Friday that “there are few countries in Europe” with the history and “territorial consistency” of Portugal, and noted that the present is shaped by the country’s past, of which the Portuguese are proud.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made a small statement after participating in the celebration of December 1, 1640, which took place in the Square of the Restorers in Lisbon, and visiting the exhibition “900 Years of Portugal”, organized by the Historical Society of Portugal. Independence of Portugal at the Palace of Independence.
“There are few countries in Europe, few homelands with such a history and with territorial consistency from the beginning to the present day, very few,” said the head of state, noting that “there was no Spain at the time when there was Portugal, there were several kingdoms, different political entities, not a state like Portugal.”
The President of the Republic also stated that “at the time of Portugal’s independence, most countries in Western Europe did not have an independent country.”
Noting that “there is no gap between past, present and future”, Marcelo Rebelo de Souza believed that “this is very important because it means looking at the past, it means living in the present, but above all it means building the future.”
“We will be who we are, and we are who we are because we had a past and we are proud of it,” he defended.
On a day marking the restoration of independence after a period of Spanish rule, the head of state considered it “very special” December 1 and highlighted the initiative of the Portuguese History Society to celebrate the 900th anniversary of Portugal. history, announced that he had “already received the support of the President of the Republic.”
In this short speech after signing the book of honor of the exhibition, speaking without a microphone or lectern, the President said that “independence then was the same as it is today, but at that time these were processes, they were not a day.”
“Even the restoration of independence had its day, December 1, after decades of struggle in the wars of restoration,” and “the decisive moment came with a papal bull recognizing the independence of the Kingdom of Portugal,” he noted.
Accompanied by the Minister of National Defense Helena Carreiras, the mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas and the president of the historical society José Ribeiro y Castro, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces emphasized that the military “is decisive in moments that are fundamental or re-founding of the country.”
Shortly before, at a ceremony marking the restoration of independence, the president of the Historical Society of Portuguese Independence said that he had presented “a few weeks ago to the President of the Republic the idea of celebrating the 900th anniversary of Portugal. the next 50 years” and expressed hope that this project can count on government support.
“Obviously the 50th anniversary is not always a celebration, that would not be good or possible, it is about understanding and spreading the understanding that our founding is a journey of about 50 years that we can place between 1128, the battle under São Mamede, and 1179, Bull Manifestis Probatum,” a papal document confirming D. Afonso Henriques as King of Portugal, mentions José Ribeiro and Castro.
Referring to the current political situation, the former SDS-PP leader said that “there seems to be uncertainty and anxiety about what will happen in the coming months and beyond.”
“In such cases, there is no way to look back over the past 900 years and “extend our vision 50 years into the future,” he noted, asking “what are a few months in the grand perspective of time.” and history.”
After the ceremony marking the restoration of independence after decades of Spanish rule, the delegation continued on foot to the Palace of Independence, located next to Rossio Square. After visiting the exhibition, the President of the Republic, the Minister of National Defense and the Mayor of Lisbon signed a book of honor.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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