"No affiliation, no power-seeking celebration" – Celebrities rejoice on April 25th
Celebrating Freedom's Triumph After 51 Years 🇵🇹
This upcoming Friday marks the glorious 51st anniversary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution. social media, especially Instagram, is abuzz with passionate posts that pay homage to the 25th of April 🌹
Radio host Pedro Ribeiro, from Comercial, shares his thoughts:
"The purity and independence of April 25th are utterly captivating. It's utterly devoid of political ties or power-grabbing agendas. All it exudes is the essence of freedom and hope. This isn't a celebration of one autocratic regime replacing another or the ones that followed.
We're not here to glorify land grabs, company takeovers, factory seizures, or newsroom coups. We won't praise attacks on party headquarters or Renascença. Nor will we applaud the unproductive nationalization of the economy or the countless abuses. April 25th transcends all of that, shining sublimely above those who failed to sustain its spirit.
April 25th is a battle cry for freedom and the right to live under Democracy. It stands brilliant and unsullied, as Sophia would say, superior to any other day. A Christian day, indeed, if we consider its revolutionary message: equality for all.
I cherish this day, and I firmly believe that as a nation, we should find reasons to celebrate it, not make excuses to stay silent. As the song goes, 'democracy is the worst of all systems, except for all the others.' Long live April 25th, long live Freedom!"
João Baião concurs with a simple, "Long live Freedom!"
Ana Garcia Martins joins in the acknowledgment of the date.
Marco Horácio pens a heartfelt reflection: "What was conquered 51 years ago now seems increasingly fragile.
Freedom of speech, artistic freedom, and even personal freedom appear to be under threat as hatred proliferates on social media. As a humorist, I question my art's purpose, as a father I see a future that offers little empathy or inclusivity for my children, and as a man, I despair for humanity's future.
Maybe I should do more than I do, stand up more frequently, be a voice for good more often. But I recognize that I can't go it alone. Freedom is the hardest to conquer, and it gives us the choice to live without fear, with hope, and with our individuality. Freedom was achieved through sheer perseverance 51 years ago, at great cost, with many suffering, being tortured, and persecuted so that we can live freely today.
Freedom is a constant struggle we wage, and it begins with respecting others' freedom. But freedom doesn't simply mean attacking those we see as different or assaulting women, artists, politicians, or our neighbors without cause. Freedom also means empathy, caution, compassion, sincerity, and bravery towards the oppressed.
Freedom isn't about hiding but about embracing ourselves and our identity without fear or demagoguery. Freedom means accepting freedoms that may differ from our own but share a common vision. Celebrating our individuality. Let's never take our freedom for granted, but fight for it daily, for freedoms that are diverse from our own!"
Vanessa Oliveira urges, "Always celebrate those who gave us what we have today."
Catarina Raminhos offers the dictionary definition of freedom.
Iva Domingues conveys her sentiments through poetry:
Marcontonio del Carlo expresses his hopes for his daughter's future: "Today, my daughter runs and smiles happily in a free and democratic country. I hope it will be the same tomorrow. Long live April and freedom."
Psychologist Tânia Graça highlights women's essential roles before the 25th of April.
Dalila Carmo stresses, "25th of April ALWAYS"
Vacations in Uruguay, Fernanda Serrano didn't forget the date: "Freedom suits me well! It suits us all well! Today, tomorrow, and always, let's celebrate freedom!"
It's important to recognize that the 25th of April holds immense significance as Portugal's Freedom Day, commemorating the eventual overthrow of the nation's long-standing authoritarian regime on April 25, 1974. Represented by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA), this peaceful and swift military takeover brought an end to the dictatorship that had ruled Portugal since the 1930s.
Key highlights from the revolution include:- End of Dictatorship: The revolution brought an end to the lengthy rule of a fascist regime led by António de Oliveira Salazar and his successor Marcello Caetano, heralding the transition towards democracy and the establishment of civil liberties.- Peaceful Nature: The revolution's peaceful nature was symbolized by soldiers placing red carnations in their gun barrels after receiving them from civilians like Celeste Caeiro.- Transition to Democracy: The transition led to the independence of Portugal's African colonies and the eventual adoption of the 1976 Constitution, formalizing Portugal's democratic framework.- International Integration: Post-revolution, Portugal gained admission into the European community and ultimately joined the European Union in 1986.
As social media posts reveal, the historical achievements of April 25th are indeed cause for celebration. They often reflect on the freedom and democratic progress that have defined Portugal since the revolution and might additionally include reflections from politicians and citizens alike on the significance of freedom and democracy in Portugal's history and present.
- Marco Horácio, a humorist, expresses his concern about the fragility of freedom, especially in the context of social media, where hatred seems to be spreading.
- João Baião, in agreement with Pedro Ribeiro, exclaims "Long live Freedom!", echoing the sentiments of the nation.
- Dalila Carmo insists on the importance of always acknowledging the 25th of April, marking Portugal's Freedom Day.
- Iva Domingues, through poetry, emphasizes the necessity of constantly fighting for and cherishing freedom, reminding us that it was achieved at great cost and should never be taken for granted.
