Literature in Resistance to the Estado Novo

As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April 1974, a session dedicated to Literature in the Resistance was held on the 11th of April. This cycle of conferences highlighted the iconic poem "This is the dawn that I expected" by Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, which symbolizes hope and the fight for freedom.

The special guest of the session was Professor José Manuel Mendes, Portuguese writer and teacher on the Social Communication Course at the University of Minho. Mendes is a notable figure in the fight against the dictatorial regime of the Estado Novo, having stood out in the student, associative and political movements. During the event, he shared personal accounts of the challenges faced under the regime, such as censorship and the ban on publishing texts critical of the government. Despite the adversities, Mendes remained firm in his fight for the ideals of freedom and justice.

To illustrate the oppressive context of the time and literary resistance, Mendes recited emblematic poems from the Estado Novo period and post-25 April. Among the works presented, the reading of "Sim, é o Estado Novo" by Fernando Pessoa and a poem by the honored Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen stood out.

In addition, Mendes highlighted the importance of female voices in resistance literature, which are often forgotten, mentioning figures such as Natália Correia, author of "Soneto de Abril".

See photos of the event on ULusófona's Facebook Page