100 years ago, the cream of the Algarve's entrepreneurial and intellectual world gathered at the 1st Regional Congress to debate issues affecting a region that was then experiencing a strong economic boost, but felt, as it is today, removed from the attention of the central power.
To mark this event, and to reflect on what the Algarve was, what has changed and what has remained in this century (and it was a lot…), the exhibition “1915 – O Awakening of the Algarve” opened yesterday at the Museu de Portimão.
It is a way of continuing the actions that, in the last quarter of this year, have been marking the centenary anniversary of the 1st Algarve Regional Congress, held at Praia da Rocha Casino, in 1915.
The exhibition conveys «the strong emotions aroused at the beginning of the XNUMXth century when, for the first time in a gesture of great regionalist affirmation, the Algarve was the stage for a pioneering initiative of reflection and debate on the main problems and challenges that conditioned the development of the region ».
The historical importance of this republican initiative and what it represented in such a turbulent period, in the midst of the 1st World War, is reflected in the context of the situation in the Algarve, «a region then quite forgotten that was struggling with serious problems of accessibility, isolation and communication, compared to the other regions of the country'.
The exhibition's route is made through images, documents and pieces referring to that time, in order to make known the main reasons and initiatives that were at the base of this authentic regionalist cry that awakened the Algarve in 1915.
In this exhibition, there is also an opportunity to understand "why Praia da Rocha was the place chosen for this initiative", its main local and national drivers and finally to know the 25 theses presented and discussed at the Algarve Regional Congress, which the Municipality and the Portimão Museum has been gradually publicizing it in digital media and on social networks.
Throughout the exhibition, there are several characters that stand out – such as Manuel Teixeira Gomes, born in Portimão, raised in the wealthy bourgeoisie who then asserted themselves in Villa Nova de Portimão, which a few years later would become President of the Republic and would elevate Portimão to the category of city .
Or the congressman and his suitcase, who will have arrived by train at Ferragudo–Parchal station (at the time there was no one in Portimão) and from there followed by van to Praia da Rocha Casino.
There are also the Theses presented to the Congress, some of them very progressive for the time, and part of them are still current today. In short, another temporary exhibition at the Portimão Museum revisiting history not too far away and deserving a close visit.
But Saturday, December 12th, and part of the official schedule of the City Day Celebrations, was also the occasion to deliver the prizes to the winners of the Photographic Race of Portimão, which, in 2015, celebrates 15 years of existence.
Nuno Filipe Oliveira, in the Digital mode, Inês Catarina Carneiro, in the Youth Award, and Armando José Lelo Morais, in the Underwater mode.
In its edition this year, the Photographic Race of Portimão also awarded Jorge José Boleta and Rui Miguel Canelas, with 2nd and 3rd place in the Digital mode, respectively.
In addition to the winning images, the exhibition of the awarded works, which opened right after the awards were given, also includes the best photos of each of the twelve themes.
Both exhibitions can be seen until April 27, at the following time: Tuesday from 14:30 pm to 18:00 pm and Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 18:00 pm.
Photos: Elisabete Rodrigues|Sul Informação
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