“From my village I can see as much of the earth as can be seen from the Universe…

That is why my village is as big as any other land,

Because I am the size of what I see.”

Fernando Pessoa in Alberto Caeiro. But it could be in Álamo Oliveira. Which makes Raminho great.

And today there was Pessoa, talking about Camões.

And there was D. Sebastião and D. Inês. And the Battle of Salga. And overseas. And there were carnations and freedom. There was Portugal. In a brilliant text, full of messages, as Álamo always managed to do. The last one he wrote for the Pé de Millho Theater Group, which celebrated him with emotion, satire, joy, and grace, just like himself, bringing his ultimate desire to the stage.

It ended with the moving guitar of Carlos Paredes setting the words of the Lusitanian epic poet to music:

“My gentle soul, you who departed

So early from this discontented life,

Rest there in Heaven eternally

And live here on earth, always sad.”

This is how the small village of Álamo feels, inheriting his great legacy. Because Culture, Education, and Art make us great.

Andreia Fernandes, writer.

Editor’s Note: Andreia is the author of the book Pessoa’s Terceira, co-published by Bruma Publications and Editora Dois Caminhos on Fernando Pessoa when he lived on the island of Terceira. You can order it through Bruma Publications.