The book «Olhão, the Algarve and Portugal in the Time of the French Invasions», an edition of the Municipality of Olhão, which brings together the proceedings of the Historical Congress held in this city in 2008 to mark the 200th anniversary of the liberation of Olhão from Napoleonic rule, was presented on Friday, the 20th, in front of the crowded auditorium of the Municipal Library of Olhão.
Isabel Trabucho, one of the two dozen authors who now see her participation in the Commemorations of the 200 Years of the Restoration immortalized with this work, as well as the scientific coordinator of the 2008 congress, António Rosa Mendes, recalled the important past of Olhão.
Isabel Trabucho referred to the bold people who managed to expel the French occupiers and acknowledged that she discovered many characteristics of Olhão during her research.
The historian António Rosa Mendes also highlighted the courage of the people of Olhão, saying he hopes that “with this publication, Olhão will have the place it deserves in history in its own right”.
According to the professor at the University of Algarve, “in 2008 we summoned researchers, academics, military personnel to Olhão… The work that is now being published will be a reference in historical studies on the period of the French Revolution”-
Rosa Mendes added that “history has neglected the role of the people from Olho d'état during the invasions. At this 2008 congress, it was clear that Olhão's role was neither episodic nor a footnote in the course of history”.
It was in Olhão that the first manifestations of displeasure against the occupiers were registered and on June 16, 1808, the popular revolt against the French broke out. It took a lot of heroism to start the uprising that followed, believe researchers from several universities, and beyond, who now see their interventions published in the work «Olhão, Algarve and Portugal in the Time of French Invasions».
“Had it not been for the revolt in Olhão, history would not have been as it was”, believes António Rosa Mendes.
An opinion shared by the mayor of Olhão Francisco Leal, who has made efforts to place Olhão in the annals of history for the real value of its people. He referred to numerous initiatives already carried out in this area, of which the 2008 Congress was one of the highlights.
“Replacing this part of history, Olhão became better known, the county has had important figures in its midst throughout history. We are very proud to be the continuators of these people from Olhão”, said Francisco Leal, adding: “In a people that made itself, everything has to be conquered. It was in 1808 and it is in 2012”.
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