Celebrations of the 50th anniversary of April 25th
The Área Metropolitana de Lisboa launched a challenge to the 18 municipalities to organize a programme that would include a journey through the historic moments of 25 April 1974, divided into 18 themes, each of which would be dealt with by a municipality.
Songs, photography, workers' stories, theater, illustration, literature and the associative movement are just some of the 18 approaches that will be covered, presented and disseminated in digital form on the Mural 18 platform. The celebrations will also include a tribute to local government.
The Lisbon Metropolitan Area promoted a series of initiatives to commemorate the 50th anniversary of April 25, given the importance that the date symbolizes for the foundation of democracy in Portugal.
- A tribute to the mayors of the 18 municipalities that make up the AML, in the person of the mayors elected since the first free elections in 1976, as a fundamental milestone in the institution of local authorities, with total autonomy in the management of municipal territories, with the gift of a tile with the image of A Metropolitana;
- Production of a brochure in honor of the elected mayors, identifying each mandate;
- Video illustrating the transformation of the AML municipalities over the last 50 years;
- Construction of the A Metropolitana tile mural in the courtyard of the AML headquarters, in honor of the 18 municipalities;
- Production of a virtual exhibition - O Povo é quem mais ordina - 50 years of culture in freedom, made up of initiatives from the 18 municipalities, created for the celebration of April 25.
The Importance of Local Governance
April 25, 1974 paved the way for democracy, development, decolonization, and freedom.
On December 12, 1976, for the first time in the country’s history, local government representatives were elected directly by the people through direct and universal suffrage. The conditions for the exercise of the powers and responsibilities of autonomous local government were enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.
Good local governance, transparency, and meaningful citizen participation are the principles and guiding principles of democracy, particularly in today’s world, where the complexity of problems, the expansion of municipalities’ areas of responsibility, and the need for citizen engagement and participation require all stakeholders to adopt different forms of collaboration and action.
Local governance continues to face a number of extremely demanding challenges, but these also present an opportunity to find more comprehensive solutions to social needs, with a view to continuously improving people’s living conditions and fostering civic engagement, while also adapting to new realities through innovative thinking and strategic approaches.
April's trove
Days and years of waiting for a single day.
Joys. Disappointments. It was the time that hurt
with its risks and damages. It was night and it was day
in the hope of a single day.
They were battles lost. There were defeats and victories.
It was life (they were lives). It was history (they were stories)
a thousand goodbyes. They were lives (it was life)
for a single day lived.
It was time that passed as if it never would.
And a flute that sang as if the night were tearing away
his whole life and one word: freedom that lived
in the hope of a single day.
My muse comes to say what has never been said before
that dying to live for a day when you could see
a single day and then die. My muse that you wove
a single day of your days.
Come and tell us the pure example of those who never tire
my muse where I contemplate the days that have passed
without ever passing the time. In that time when I would give
life for a single day.
Many waters have flowed, many rivers have dried up
battles that were lost battles that were won.
Only the days didn't die when life was so short
for a single day lived.
And the four seasons rolled on with their rhythms and rites.
Winds from the north brought parties and games of earrings.
And the flames didn't go out. That in the idea the wood burned
your whole life for one day.
Cold gray fires. My muse who sang
the song that was dressed up with flags in the words.
Weapons that time wove. My whole life
for a single day lived.
Manuel Alegre, "Trova do Mês de Abril", 1984, in Atlântico, Lisbon, Editora Morais, 1981
Celebrating April means celebrating democratic local power, one of the greatest achievements of the Carnation Revolution.
With the beginning of democratic life in Portugal, consolidated with free elections the following year and the approval of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic in 1976, the principle of local autonomy was enshrined, with the establishment of municipal attributions and duties.
The first local elections were held within the constitutional framework created by the Revolution, after dozens of years of appointing mayors and parish councillors. In these elections, 304 mayors, 5,135 municipal deputies and around 26,000 members of parish assemblies were elected.
Since then, women and men elected by universal suffrage have defended the values of democracy and the best interests of the people under the aegis of freedom, equality and fraternity.
As part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of April 25, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area is paying tribute to Local Government, as well as to all the mayors who have held office over the last five decades and who have worked to give our territory a new face and give voice to the wishes of our populations. This tribute represents the defense of democracy and respect for the legacy of those who have contributed greatly to its development.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of April is also about reflecting on the future. Our democracy, built up gradually over the years, is the greatest gift we leave to future generations and it is up to each and every one of us to preserve it and ensure that "the doors that April opened" are never closed.
President of the Lisbon Metropolitan Council
Carla Tavares
THE PEOPLE ORDER THE MOST | 50 YEARS OF APRIL 25
A brief revisit to the transformation of the 18 municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area after the April Revolution.
Evocation of Local Power
Mayors of the municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area since April 25, 1974
