Comments about history, culture and geography

Victor Reia-Batista

© Hegel Goutier

Victor Reia-Batista, a professor at the University of the Algarve’s Faculty of Communications

The Algarve has a culture similar to North Africa, as underscored by the word ‘Algarve’, which means ‘the West’ – in this case, the westernmost point of Europe.

In the wake of the 1974 revolution, Portugal saw a mass movement of people. Many were heading back from the colonies their heads full of colonial ideas. Others were refugees with a mixed bag of needs and expectations. All of this created huge problems.

As for myself, I was compelled to live in exile in Sweden because I was regarded as a deserter. Almost every family was affected by separations of one type or another. Eventually, however, the attempts to reconcile and bring together the different positions and views in this new society proved to be successful.

At the same the immediate post-revolution period was beset by serious difficulties. Luckily these lasted for a comparatively short period of time.

As to our current problems, they have more to do with the fading memory of the past than anything else and it can be quite a struggle to persuade today’s students to adopt an historical approach to these issues. Perhaps this is because of a tendency to conceal the tragic aspects of our recent history.

Speaking specifically about Portugal’s integration into Europe, the Algarve has had some problems with its farming and fishing industries, but also identification with Europe and its values is part of the people’s legacy.

Clara Borja Ramos, diplomat, spokesperson for the Portuguese EU Presidency

Clara Borja expresses herself here more like a career diplomat and an intellectual than a spokesperson for the Portuguese EU Presidency.

Portugal’s key characteristics are the result of centuries-long trading activities of all types and with all corners of the globe. Portugal’s culture and civilisation has been enriched via its contacts with other continents: not only with nearby Africa but also with South and North America. The first seafarers to set foot in North America are said to have been Portuguese, long before Christopher Columbus arrived.

They were very definitely the first Europeans to explore Japan, hence Japanese has many words adopted from the Portuguese such as “arigato” (thank you), which is derived from the Portuguese “obrigado”.

We must not overlook all the materials, goods and ideas that Portugal brought home from its expeditions. Items which were then eagerly sought after by other European countries, such as tea from India and China that the English discovered through Queen Catarina prior to her marriage to the King of England.

Today there is no sign of any strain in Portugal’s relationships with its former colonies, and perhaps one of Portugal’s virtues are the result of a lack of resources – simply not being powerful enough to dominate the colonies it developed.

I am sure that this is true to some extent. Portugal did not have enough financial or human resources to fully dominate the places they colonised. With such a tiny number of people in charge of running their colonies the Portuguese were compelled to integrate. But I do not believe this is the only reason, even though this is a widely held view. I also think the welcoming and integration minded character of the people also has to be factored in. I believe it is due to a tolerant attitude. Some say Portugal did its best not to resemble Spain.

Portugal, or Lusitania, was a separate, specific colony during the Roman times. It is a different race, which obviously shares characteristics, such as the Arab invasion. Portugal now enjoys an excellent relationship with countries to the south of the Mediterranean Sea. The nearest capital to Lisbon is not Madrid but Rabat, fewer than 600 kilometres away. Portuguese people are at ease in Morocco and vice versa. They have a lot in common, such as the architecture and the Arab roots of many Portuguese words. Portugal also has close ties with the Portuguese-speaking African countries, ties of affection. And these relations are now becoming stronger.

Hegel Goutier

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