25TH OF APRIL - A celebration of the 51st Anniversary or Portugal's Freedom!

On April 25th, 1974, a group of young captains carried out the military coup that overthrew the dictatorial regime in Portugal and began the transition to a democratic regime, forever changing the course of national history. The April 25 Revolution, also known as the "Revolução dos Cravos" (Carnation Revolution), was led by the Armed Forces Movement (Movimento das Forças Armadas - MFA), and put an end to the authoritarian regime of the Estado Novo, in force since 1933. 

This day is considered a fundamental milestone in Portuguese history, which is why April 25th is a national holiday in Portugal celebrated as Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade), with several celebrations and events to mark the date. This year, Portugal is proud to commemorate the 51st Anniversary of Freedom Day.

Why is this holiday symbolized by Red Carnations? 
It all goes back to a restaurant named ‘Franjinhas’  which was opening its new self-service service that day. The owner had ordred red carnations to give away at the opening, but as the received the news that they would not be opening to the public due to the revolution, the waitress took the carnations with her to Rossio, where through various interactions with the military, she ended up distributing the flowers, which were eventually placed in the barrels of their rifles. This gesture symbolises a historic revolution that combines the Carnations with the absence of bloodshed.

For those who enjoy cultural and historical events, and want to celebrate this special date, below is a list of some local events happening this Friday, April 25th, across the Algarve:

LAGOS: Concert “Vozes da Liberdade" (Voices of Freedom), by the Lagos Light Orchestra, at Praça Gil Eanes (6 pm).

PORTIMÃO: Between 10am and 6pm, Jardim Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles will host “Abril no Jardim” (April in the Garden").

SILVES: Xutos & Pontapés concert in the riverside area of Silves (10pm).

FARO: Music-show “A minha pátria é a língua portuguesa" (My homeland is the Portuguese language), at Teatro das Figuras (9pm).

TAVIRA: Show “Cristina Branco canta José Afonso" (Cristina Branco sings José Afonso), at the Ribeira Market (9:30 pm).