A historical recreation that will last two days and will have moments in different parts of the county will be one of the ways in which the Chamber of Olhão celebrates the day of the municipality and the insurrection of the Olhanese against the Napoleonic troops associated with it.
The dramatization “The day that Olhão faced Napoleão” starts on the 12th of June, in Moncarapacho. On that day, he also passes through Pechão, Fuzeta and Quelfes. The route ends at the end of the afternoon in the city, when the people from Olho are incited to revolt.
On June 13, the Quelfes Bridge is one of the scenarios for the continuation of this dramatization, also followed by scenes in Fonte Velha, in Pechão, and next to the Bom Sucesso caique, on the Olhão Riverfront.
The Chamber of Olhão challenges the population to join the initiative by integrating the show as extra actors.
Those interested should attend on June 11, at 19 pm, at the Sociedade Recreativa Progresso Olhanense.
«During the French occupation of the Algarve, in 1808, a popular uprising against the abuses of the invaders emerged in Olhão, on June 16th. This revolt culminated in the expulsion of the French from the place of Olhão and, on impulse, from the entire Algarve», framed the Chamber of Olhão.
In the month following the expulsion of the invaders, 17 men from Olhão left for Brazil aboard the Bom Sucesso caique, «with the mission of taking the novelty of the expulsion to the Corte da Colónia. The crew had taken an unofficial missive, which described the audacious attitude taken by the people of Oyenne in this revolt».
The sailors from Olhão then received, from the hand of the prince-regent, a charter with the force of law, which promoted Olhão from place to town and which ordered that this locality “be called Vila de Olhão da Restauração”.
Historical Recreation Program:
June 12th | Wednesday
Pressure from Napoleon's troops on the population of Olho :
The French put pressure on the population of Olhão, usurp their property, attack and take prisoners from Olhão who are insubordinate and raise the Portuguese flag.
10:00 am » 10:45 am | Moncarapacho (Center)
11:15 am » 12:00 pm | Fuzeta (Rua da Liberdade » Frente Ribeirinha)
14:30 pm » 15:15 pm | Pechão (Rua Combatentes da Liberdade » Centro)
16:00 pm » 17:00 pm | Quelfes (Rua Augusto Saias » EN 125)
17:30 pm » 18:30 pm | Olhão (Avenida da República » Rua do Comércio)
Popular survey:
Reading and posting of the Junot Notice of 1808. Colonel Lopes de Sousa tears up the notice and incites the people of Olho to revolt. He is elected chief by those present, who, under his command, arrest the French military. Announces that the French will probably come from Tavira and Vila Real de Stº António, to join those from Faro to attack the Place of Olhão. They decide to organize an ambush on the Ponte de Quelfes.
18:30 pm | Olhão (in front of the Main Church)
June 13th | Thursday
Expulsion of Napoleonic troops:
Olhanenses surprise the French troops near the Ponte de Quelfes. Pursuit of the Joial à Meia Légua site.
10:00 am | Quelfes (Old Bridge)
14:00 | Pechão (Old Fountain)
Departure to Brazil:
Maritime seafarers from Olhano take the news to the King. They meet with Sr. dos Aflitos and head to the Bom Sucesso caique, from where they depart for Brazil.
17:00 | Olhão (Main Church, Bom Sucesso caique)
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