In memory of the revolution in Portugal in 1974
Adult education centre: Two-part series of events on 6 and 13 May, both starting at 6 p.m.
On Monday, 6 May, from 6 to 7.30 pm and on Monday, 13 May, from 6 to 8.15 pm, interested parties are invited to a historical review and a film evening to mark the 50th anniversary of the "Carnation Revolution" in Portugal. The fundamental upheaval on 25 April 1974 ushered in democracy in Portugal.
Admission to both events is free of charge.
Monday, 6 May, 6 to 7.30 pm
The Carnation Revolution in Portugal - between history and memory
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre, TIETZ, Room 4.07
Information and registration
On 25 April 1974, a group of left-wing captains put an end to a 13-year colonial war, a 48-year dictatorship and a colonial system in Portugal that had become anachronistic. The population ignored the insurgents' calls not to leave their homes and poured out onto the streets, mounted the military's tanks in a victory pose, and marched to their deaths.They stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed military and watched the surrender of dictator António de Oliveira Salazar with excitement, placing carnations in the soldiers' rifle barrels. It was the birth of Portugal as a democratic country and the beginning of the long-awaited independence of the African territories.
In her lecture, Prof. Teresa Pinheiro explores the changes heralded by that historic 25 April and formulated as a threefold goal in the insurgents' programme: Democratisation, decolonisation and development. How can we look back on these goals after 50 years? What role does the memory of the Carnation Revolution play in the social consensus in Portugal? What myths surrounding the most romantic of revolutions are being questioned today?
Prof Teresa Pinheiro holds the Chair of Cultural and Social Change at Chemnitz University of Technology and has been researching the history and culture of Portugal for many years.
Monday, 13 May, 6 to 8.15 pm,
Viva Portugal. Film evening and discussion
Location: Chemnitz Adult Education Centre, TIETZ, Room 4.07
Information and registration
Shortly after the Carnation Revolution in April 1974, a group of Franco-German filmmakers travelled to Portugal to feel the pulse of the revolution on the ground. The result is the documentary film "Viva Portugal", which has lost none of its poignancy since its premiere in October 1975. The film documents the political changes in the first year after 25 April 1974, witnesses the failure of a right-wing conservative coup and, above all, lets the people have their say. The images of land occupations and the expropriation of industrial companies by workers' committees show a country in the throes of freedom and on a self-determined search for democracy.
On this evening, director Malte Rauch will show the film. He is a German filmmaker. In 1975, he made the documentary film "Viva Portugal", the chronicle of a year of revolution. Further film projects - such as "Frankfurt-Conakry" (1986) - have taken him to Africa time and again. After the film screening, all participants are cordially invited to a discussion with Malte Rauch.