The Conceição Palace in Ponta Delgada hosted the inauguration of the temporary exhibition “In the 50 Years of April 25—Mota Amaral,” presided over by José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Government of the Azores.

This event is part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, highlighting the figure of João Bosco Mota Amaral, considered one of the great driving forces behind the political and administrative autonomy of the Azores.

The exhibition revisits the historical context of the years of the Revolution and the first steps of Azorean Autonomy, highlighting Mota Amaral’s personal and political career between 1969 and 1974. The collection of documents on display from the Mota Amaral Archive includes unpublished material such as correspondence, photographs, speeches, and press clippings, revealing lesser-known aspects of his work and the impact he had on the political and social life of the region.

José Manuel Bolieiro stressed the initiative’s importance, describing it as a celebration of “Azorean memory and identity” and a tribute to an “exemplary citizen, visionary politician, and inspiring statesman.”

For the leader of the Azorean executive, the Autonomy of the Azores owes a great deal to Mota Amaral’s determination and courage. Amaral enabled the region to overcome historical barriers to development, achieve greater territorial and social cohesion, and set an example of progress.

“We evoke and pay homage to an inspired and inspiring politician and statesman. A citizen who participated and transformed,” said José Manuel Bolieiro.

“The new generations of autonomists, inspired by him, will continue the process of political and constitutional deepening of Autonomy,” he added.

The exhibition, organized by the Public Library and Regional Archive of Ponta Delgada and scientifically coordinated by Luís Bastos, author of Mota Amaral’s photobiography, reaffirms the commitment of memory institutions to promote access to historical and cultural knowledge of the Azores. The collection on display preserves the collective memory and inspires new generations to continue deepening the autonomous model and value the region’s cultural heritage.

With this initiative, organized by the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro expressed his gratitude to all involved in the organization, stressing the importance of keeping Mota Amaral’s history and legacy alive.

According to José Manuel Bolieiro, it was thanks to Mota Amaral’s “determination, courage and boldness” that the Azores overcame a backlog of development, promoting social and territorial cohesion between all parts of the region, making Autonomy a way for the Azores to open up to the world and building the Azores of today, “a geography of opportunities”.

The exhibition is open to the public and is a unique opportunity to learn more about the career of one of the greatest protagonists in the contemporary history of the Azores and Portugal.

From Press Release

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADE.