Crowd gathers in Lisbon to celebrate democracy, shouting: “fascism never again”

On a day marked by strong symbolism, crowds gathered this Thursday (25) in the Portuguese capital to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution. The event, which marks the end of 48 years of dictatorship and 13 years of colonial wars in Africa, was remembered with rallies, parades and various cultural activities.

The Carnation Revolution was a crucial episode in the history of Portugal. In 1974, young soldiers overthrew the dictatorial regime of António de Oliveira Salazar, who had ruled the country since 1933. The uprising was carried out without bloodshed and quickly gained the support of the Portuguese population, who yearned for freedom and democracy. It became known as this because the population sided with the coup leaders and distributed these flowers to the soldiers, who stuck them into the barrels of their rifles.

— It is above all the images taken on that day that transformed the red carnation into a symbol of the Revolution, even if that revolution was particularly peaceful. — explains historian Maria Inacia Rezola, responsible for part of the ceremonies.

Embed from Getty Images

_{Rossio Square, Lisbon, Portugal (Photo: Reproduction/BarryWiniker/GettyImages/Embed)}

The reason for the celebration

The regime overthrown in 1974 was the result of a military dictatorship established in 1926. The then Finance Minister Antônio Salazar led the government from 1932 to 1968, when he was replaced by law professor Marcelo Caetano. A traditional popular march along Avenida da Liberdade, the highlight of hundreds of initiatives over the weeks, brought together hundreds of people in the afternoon who shouted “April 25th, forever! Fascism, never again!”carrying a red carnation in his lapel or in his hands.

Authorities attend

Official estimates indicate that tens of thousands of people participated in the celebrations, filling the streets and squares of Lisbon. The highlight of the day was the military parade, which was attended by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Several Portuguese and international authorities were also present, including representatives from Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe.

The current celebration follows the rise of the far-right Chega party, which has become the third largest in the country since, on March 10, it obtained 18% of the votes. The Portuguese President belongs to the Social Democratic Party.

Featured Photo: Celebration of the Carnation Revolutions, Portugal (Photo: Reproduction/PedroNunes/CitizenSide)