The Revolutions of the Revolution: ULusófona Analyses the 25 April

On 3 June, guests and students of Lusófona University attended the official launch of the collection As Revoluções da Revolução, published by Lusófona University Press. During a ceremony held at the new facilities of the Lusófona University – Porto University Centre, the work was presented as the outcome of a year of collaborative effort involving students, lecturers, professionals, and members of the community. The initiative, promoted by the Faculty of Economic, Social and Business Sciences (FCESE), was part of the commemorations of the 50th anniversary of 25 April, bringing together diverse perspectives on the profound social, political and economic transformations that have taken place in Portugal since the Revolution.

During the session, students involved in the project had the opportunity to share their experiences and what they had learned through this collaborative work. Carolina Antunes, a Social Work student, emphasised that this collection values shared knowledge, critical thinking, and the collective construction of understanding. In her speech, she also underlined that the volumes are more than mere compilations of texts; they are spaces where each voice is heard and where education intersects with real life.

Amid excerpts from songs related to the 1974 Revolution (such as Rui de Carvalho), lecturers and representatives of the institutions involved in the creation and promotion of the work also had the opportunity to speak. Isabel Babo, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, for instance, highlighted that this type of project represents an applied and living science, closely connected to people and their stories.

Diana Dias, Vice-Rector for Research and editorial director of the project, was responsible for presenting the collection. With visible emotion, she shared her pride in bringing to life a work that gathers testimonies of transformation and resistance. In her address, she noted that the initiative, born within FCESE, involved students from various areas—management, tourism, human resources, and social work—and reflects interdisciplinary work guided by a commitment to freedom and citizenship. She also stressed that the collection seeks to reflect on the impact of the April Revolution, over 50 years later, on the public, political, and cultural spheres.

The four thematic volumes were then presented, each aiming to give voice to the “Revolutions within the Revolution”: Volume I – The Revolutions of the Revolution in Numbers, focused on the quantitative analysis of social, economic, and political changes over the last 50 years; Volume II – Freedom, Rights and Opportunities, which gathers testimonies from those who experienced the transition to democracy and the achievements tied to freedom; Volume III – Women’s Rights, dedicated to women’s struggles and achievements, highlighting resistance, entry into political and professional life, and ongoing challenges; and Volume IV – Social Policies and Social Work, which reflects the role of social work in promoting human rights, dignity, and social justice.

Throughout the session, it was underlined that the project is also a tribute to those who fought—and continue to fight—for human rights, gender equality, and a fairer society.

Teresa Candeias, a lecturer involved in the first volume, noted that the numbers analysed tell real stories and that the social and economic indicators reflect lives and trajectories that should not be forgotten. She further emphasised in her speech that statistics, when used appropriately, can be a powerful tool for social transformation.

Maria Isabel Marques, responsible for coordinating the testimonies on freedom and rights, highlighted the complexity of collecting narratives from a generation marked by repression and change.

In the field of gender equality, Ana Alves stressed the importance of recognising the difficult path taken by women before and after 25 April, recalling how, prior to the revolution, women often held secondary roles and were frequently erased from history. The collection pays tribute to these journeys and to the strength of anonymous women who, through resilience, helped build the democratic country we know today.

The volume dedicated to Social Work was particularly praised for giving voice to professionals who fight daily for human dignity. Cristiana Almeida, one of the coordinators of the work, highlighted the involvement of students from the programme, who exceeded the initial goal of 50 interviews, gathering dozens of valuable testimonies about the role of social work in building a more supportive society.

Carolina Antunes closed the presentation of the volumes with words of gratitude and pride, stating that the experience of participating in this project was a defining moment for all students involved.

The event continued with a speech by Fernanda Rodrigues, President of the Portuguese Association of Social Workers, who highlighted the progress made in academic and professional training in recent decades.

At the end of the session, Diana Dias acknowledged the contribution of photographer Alfredo Cunha, who provided unpublished images of 25 April, and of lecturer and designer Carla Cadete, responsible for the book's cover design. Finally, she also expressed her gratitude to all the lecturers—especially Cristiana Almeida and Isabel Marques—as well as to the faculty’s administration and the university’s rectorate, represented by Isabel Babo, for their support and belief in the project.

“As Revoluções da Revolução” is, above all, a testimony to the role of higher education as a space for social transformation. It is a celebration of freedom, memory, and the responsibility to continue striving for a more informed, just, and democratic society.

Photography
Catarina Machado

Editing
Catarina Machado and Paulo Renato

Coverage
Catarina Machado

News
Sofia Pereira