Portugal day
Today is our day: Portugal Day by the nature of things. It is the day – December 1st – on which we celebrate independence, the fact that we are free and sober, masters of us, that we can choose our destiny, elect our friends, partners and allies, have our own voice in the context International. It’s the day we wouldn’t be without. Looking at the world (today) and at history (since always), we see what a precious privilege it is.
There is also the Day of Portugal on the 10th of June, with another look at us: the look of the language and communities, the look of Camões, the Portugal of Portugal. December 1st is the day of Portugal which, having been born, was later restored, the day without which not even June 10th would exist. It is the Earth’s Day, the day of roots and trunk, the day in which, in front of everyone, we affirm ourselves free, proper and standing.
It is now 10 years since, on the 1st of December, I heard, on a TV news program on RTP, my predecessor in the Historical Society protest against the announcement of the elimination of the holiday. A journalist said that it was the last time that December 1st was celebrated. José Alarcão Troni replied that this could not be, because the 1st of December was “the date sine qua non“. That’s right: the date without which nothing. The holiday was therefore defended and would eventually be restored.
The history and value of this date is curious, spontaneously estimated, followed and remembered in parts of the country, in very simple popular ways, sometimes touching in its simplicity, even far from the major media. It is curious how we celebrate national independence, not with reference to the great dates of foundation (with milestones in 1128, 1139, 1143 and 1179), but calling for the great date of 1640. It makes sense, because in the only period of our history in which we losing independence (1580-1640), that was the day we rescued it, restoring separation from our Crown. It makes sense, because we feel the essentials more when we lose them. The war from 1640 to 1668, in Europe and overseas possessions, was the stark sign of its high price.
Being a monarchy, the 1st of December is like a republican date, because we had to break the dynasty to restore freedom with D. João IV, Duke of Bragança. A fact similar to the crisis of the 14th century (1383-85), when another dynasty to break with D. João I, Mestre de Aviz, defender of the freedom of Portugal, also emerged.
Once the holiday was instituted in 1910, with the advent of the Republic and the holidays defined in the manner of modern States, the name was especially happy because, then, the 1st of December was celebrated: “Day of the Autonomy of the Portuguese Homeland and the Flag “, the two names chosen by decrees of the Provisional Governments of October and November 1910.
There are many debates, perhaps too much talk, around whether we have too many or too few resources – and what they are -, whether we are poor or rich, whether we have a future and what. I have no doubt: we have many and important resources, we just have to define what to do with them. I built a theory about this.
But Portugal’s greatest resource is Portugal itself, is the fact that we are. It is tremendously displaced: the Portuguese that we are, the territory we have (land, sea and air), the extraordinary geographic position, History and Language throughout the world. Fantastic! I like Portugal more and more. I don’t get tired of liking Portugal.
And how do we have no future? How can you think this is someone from a country about to celebrate 900 years? Who would have thought it possible when 1128 started? Who would have thought it likely before Aljubarrota or after Alcácer Quibir? How many countries are there nine centuries old? How many are there, like Nau Catrineta, who have a lot to tell?
From afar we come, from afar we go. We have plenty to build pride and self-love, courage and purpose, dream and ambition. What a privilege to be Portugal!
President of the Historical Society of the Independence of Portugal.