ANP - Ararat News & Publishing

Portugal: From the fascist past to democracy:

A modern country growing up in Europe’s westernmost point

Anahit KHATCIKIAN / Roni ALASOR - Ararat News –Publishing (ANP), 7 March 2009 – Lisboa - The Portuguese people and the former colonies of Portugal suffered dozens of years under different fascist regimes and dictatorship until 1974 when the left-wing military officers (Carnation Revolution in Lisbon) overthrew the last skin of the fascist regime, Estado Novo. The dictatorships result many tragedies in the Portuguese society and many thousands of Portuguese people had to escape to other countries as political and economical migrants. But today Portugal is developed modern country, and it's not less civilised then the other members of the European Union. The President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, the Members of the European Parliament Paolo Casaca and Ana Maria Gomes are just few of the active Portuguese politicians who built the positive image of their country.

- We've escaped from the cold, rainy and windy central Europe to Portugal in the end of February. It is our first trip to Portugal, the country number 50. The sun is shinning. Everywhere is clean and the people are warm and friendly. This is the first impression one might have while arriving in Lisbon. Generally, the city looks calm, the main avenues are wide and the green spaces are abundant, which is not so usual for a European capital.

This “smell of peace and tranquillity” is not just first-look impression. According to the Human Development Index, in 2008 Portugal was the 7thmost peaceful country in the world. Despite the fascist past of Portugal ruled by the right wing dictatorship of Estado Novo (party New State and its leader Antonio Salazar) until 1974, today Portugal and its people are open, helpful, friendly and welcoming. Lisbon became modern and fast developing city, without to lose its human face and its green nature.

With population of round 2, 8 Million people, nearly 1/3 of the total population of the country, Lisbon Metropolitan Area is developed for tourism and cultural sightseeing. The hotels in Lisboa (as the local people call the city) are concentrated round the monument of Marquise de Pombal, the Portuguese governor who rebuilt the city after it was razed to the grounds by the big earthquake in 1755. The capital has many museums and places to visit. Among the most famous are the National Museum of Ancient Art, the National Museum of Medieval Art, the Maritime Museum, and the Folk Art Museum.

Calouste Gulbenkian

But according many tourist guide books and travellers' internet sites, one of the most interesting and important museums to visit in Lisbon is the museum Calouste Gulbenkian. The museum contains more then 6000 precious peaces of art and antiques from all over the world belonging to Calouste Gulbenkian (1869-1955). Gulbenkian was rich Armenian oil magnate and philanthropist who had lived in London and Paris, but spent the end of his life in Lisbon. After his death all his collection was brought to Portugal and exposed in the newly created museum according the wish of Gulbenkian.

The museum is located in the huge land of the Foundation Calouste Gulbenkian which covers round 7, 5 hectares and comprises also modern art gallery, library, educational centre and big nice garden. The collection of the museum is very rich, interesting and unique, including examples from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, Babylonia, Armenia, Persia, Ottoman Empire, Islamic Art, Europe and Asia.

The only missing point for the visitors is that there is no any written information about Gulbenkian, his life and art passion, inside in the museum. Unfortunately, not even any photo or short summary say to the visitors who was Gulbenkian and what is the background of this rich art collection. The only existing symbol for Gulbenkian presence is his statue on the green lawn in front of the Foundation, but again without written information or short biographic notice. This is a serious missing point which compromises the good image of this place, but can be easily corrected by the managers of the Foundation in the future.

The Europe's westernmost point, Sintra

After the museums and the modern shopping centres of Lisbon, a lot can be seen also outside the capital. Only at 40 kilometres from Lisbon is situated the westernmost point of Europe – Cabo da Roca. The cliffs rise out of the Atlantic Ocean to open a beautiful panorama to the infinite sea. The cape is in the municipality of Sintra, which includes also the imposing Palacio da Pena. The Palace, architectural mixture of Medieval and Islamic elements built in 1854, was used as summer residence by the last Portugal royal family of King Ferdinand in the XIX century.

The way back by car from Sintra to Lisbon is passing through the longest bridge in Europe – Vasco da Gama bridge long 17 km and built for the World Expo Fair in Portugal in 1998.

The popular Fado culture

Despite the fascist past and the nowadays membership in EU, the traditional nostalgic Fado music and culture are still alive in Portugal. A journey in the capital of the westernmost country of Europe can not end without to spend an evening in the famous Alfama district, the oldest district of Lisbon with many Fado bars and restaurants. Fado - a traditional, old musical style from the 1820s still remains the most popular Portuguese music today. The sea and the poor life are central in the Fado-music tradition which is characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics where sadness and happiness are hand in hand. The melancholic rhythm of the Fado songs mixing nostalgia, tears and smiles in one, might truly express the feelings of a visitor of Lisbon at the end of his journey – mix of happiness to have the warm experience of Portugal and a bit of nostalgia to say Adieu, Lisaboa, Adieu...