Alcoutim was the last county seat in Portugal to have electric light. The inauguration of this essential improvement, as well as of the public water supply, only took place on 12 July 1965, with the presence of the then President of the Republic. It was, in fact, the first and only visit that a President of the Republic made to Alcouteneja lands until the restoration of democracy.
Admiral Américo Tomás took advantage of the inauguration of the International Airport of Faro and National High School of Portimão, for a three-day trip to the Algarve, which also included other inaugurations, in addition to those already mentioned: the conclusion of the water supply to Lagoa and the clinical post in Vila Real de Santo António.
It was three days of a “truly triumphant welcome”, in the words of the newspaper “O Século”.
When Alcoutim finally saw the electric lights come on for the first time, Lisbon had already inaugurated its public lighting 87 years earlier.
The Alcoutim process started in 1953, with the Companhia Eléctrica do Alentejo e Algarve being in charge of “bringing electricity to the seat of the municipality of Alcoutim”, which would only happen 12 years later.
The water supply process, in turn, began in 1949, but it was not until July 12, 1965, a Monday, that the population of the village was finally able to dress up to receive the visit of President Américo Tomás.
But, despite the pomp and circumstance, water and sewage would only be a reality in houses in the village of Alcoutim in 1966 and 1967, respectively.
The newspaper “O Século”, from the 13th of July 1965, presented a long report, of more than one page, of the visit of the President of the Republic of the Algarve, namely the inauguration of electricity and water in Alcoutim.
The Lisbon newspaper stressed that Alcoutim was «one of the smallest towns in the whole country, with a few three hundred inhabitants, and the seat of a municipality that does not have a municipal income of more than 300 contos a year». Then, as now, Alcoutim was small land and living with difficulties.
«The inauguration of the work to supply water to Alcoutim was symbolically made near one of the two fountains installed in the middle of the village», the newspaper said, noting that the work cost «1526 contos» and would satisfy the needs «of a population of more than 600 inhabitants”, that is, twice the population of the town and county seat.
«Without showing fatigue, despite the intense heat that was felt, mr. President of the Republic preferred the long walk on foot, in order to be able to have closer contact with the population of the town, who never ceased to witness expressions of affection and appreciation for him».
And then it was on foot, resplendent in his white admiral's uniform, that Américo Tomás climbed up to the place where the Transformer Central of the Algarve and Alentejo Electric Company was located, where, with the chairman of the board of directors of the electricity service concessionaire , the President of the Republic proceeded with the usual “cut of the ribbon”.
Américo Tomás then went up to the Castle of Alcoutim, «on whose terrace an aperitif was served to him, as well as to his entourage, which Mr. Minister of Corporations,” continued the reporter for O Século.
From there, as it is today, on the other side of the Guadiana, the Spanish village of Sanlucar could be seen. "In that Spanish village and along the riverbank, many people could be seen, waving to the Portuguese side, as they too wished to greet the Head of State of Portugal, who knew of a visit to the Portuguese village on the other side."
Despite not being able to cross the river to participate in the Alcoutim festival, since, as “O Século” recalled, “access to Portuguese territory (which is usually open to them) was yesterday especially denied by the authorities of their country to the friendly people of Sanlucar». Even so, the Spanish neighbors were represented, “by the mayor, mr. Ferreda Ojeda».
To mark the occasion, Alcoutim celebrates this Sunday, July 12, the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of water supply and electricity distribution services.
Due to the importance of these basic infrastructures, the municipality will mark the date with a commemorative session, which will start at 20:30 pm, in the City Hall building.
After the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, an exhibition alluding to the theme will be inaugurated, and, at 21:00 pm, the conference “In the light of time” will take place at the Municipal Library, where they will talk about this historic moment for the county seat, which it will have the presence of technicians from the municipality and former employees who, following the process at the time, will give their testimony.
Note: O Sul Informação he thanks our collaborator Aurélio Nuno Cabrita for providing the pages of the newspaper “O Século” of 13 July 1965 and for his help in the research.
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