Archaeology is a longstanding passion that has accompanied me from an early age. It comes from books, from the imagination, and from the history of the islands where I grew up and lived, filled with things to tell us. In Angra do Heroísmo, a city recognized by UNESCO, I reconnected with this idea of archaeological heritage. And it was here that I met Pedro Parreira—a recent public figure.
We have never worked together, but I followed some of his lectures and scientific articles during his time as part of the Regional Directorate for Culture team. In person, his was an active voice, though one far more hidden from public view. From what I came to know of him as an archaeologist, I always encountered interesting ideas, which he has shared at various gatherings. As a person, I consider him a friend, even though we do not see each other often. I also regard him as a man without a party membership card, and I cannot remember ever seeing him campaign for X, Y, or Z—apart from Manuel João Vieira in the most recent presidential election.
On his social media pages, I read words in defense of justice and human dignity, which ought to be the bare minimum of common sense but which, in the times in which we live, have become qualities worthy of mention.
All of this concerns Pedro Parreira’s appointment to coordinate the Mission Structure for the commemorations of the 600th anniversary of the Azores, announced at the end of last week following approval by the Bolieiro Government. I do not know who selected him, but, judging from the public defense made by the Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs on his personal Facebook page—emphasizing that Pedro is a young professional—I deduce that the proposal may have been his.
I have been thinking about this appointment because I like archaeology, because I appreciate Pedro’s work, and because I will be paying particularly close attention to this Mission Structure. Within the limits of my emotional availability, I have been reflecting on the choices being made surrounding this matter—choices that have not always been sensible.
I have read legitimate criticism concerning the fact that this project falls under the authority of the secretary in question. I have had, and continue to have, many political disagreements with Paulo Estêvão, and I will continue to speak publicly whenever I disagree with the moods of the realm. Nevertheless, it does not seem inappropriate to me for a commemoration of this nature to be entrusted to a secretariat such as his, provided that it knows how to carry it out with all of us and, above all, with transparency in every context surrounding this celebration.
What troubles me most is that we are already dismissing someone we do not know. From what I have read, Pedro Parreira—the son of the “poor Parreiras of Ribeirinha,” as he so often and proudly writes—was chosen on the basis of his professional merit. It must be acknowledged that it is not customary for a government, much less a right-wing government, to choose someone without party connections for a position that, anywhere else in the world, would be tailor-made for some political carcass. One need only look at Montenegro and his choice of Paulo Portas for the commemorations of Portugal’s 900th anniversary.
Beyond all his personal and professional work, Pedro Parreira embraced this project because he believes in this idea of the Azores as they approach their 600th anniversary.
I do not believe that it will be a perfect commemoration. I will not allow myself to be deceived by siren songs. I admit that I would not have his courage. But I know his determination and his dedication to history as an integral part of the past, the present, and the future.
Pedro, may your father live to witness the fruits of his son’s work.
Alexandra Manes is from Flores Island but lives on Terceira Island in the Azores. She is a regular contributor to several Azorean newspapers, a political and cultural activist, and has served in the Azorean Parliament.
NOVIDADES will feature occasional opinion pieces from leading thinkers and writers in the Azores, providing the diaspora and those interested in the current state of the Azores with a sense of the significant perspectives on some of the archipelago’s issues.
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).