On December 7, the Municipality of Lajes do Pico paid tribute to Maestro Manuel Emílio Porto on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth and publicly presented the new digital platform containing his estate, developed under a protocol between the Municipal Council, Maria de Jesus Maciel — who is responsible for the estate — and CESEM of FCSH/UNL.

The purpose of this project is to identify, catalog, study, and make available online the vast documentary collection left by the Maestro, ensuring its preservation, enhancement, and public accessibility, promoting scientific research, and contributing to the safeguarding of Azorean cultural heritage.

The event was attended by the Mayor, Ana Brum; CESEM representative Zuelma Chaves; Artur Goulart de Melo Borges; Hildeberto Peixoto; and Maria de Jesus Maciel, the Maestro’s widow.

In her remarks, the Mayor emphasized that this tribute represents “a just and well-deserved homage to a son of this municipality, whose work enriches Azorean and Portuguese cultural heritage.” She also highlighted the importance of the new digital portal, noting that the project aims at “its proper description, preservation, and public availability for study by the scientific community and the general population.”

The Mayor further underscored the principle of the democratization of culture, reminding the audience that “dissemination makes heritage accessible to a wider public, fostering a sense of ownership among citizens.”

In conclusion, she stressed that “this important project ensures that future generations may learn from the past, understand the present, and envision the future based on their values and history.”

At the end, the audience enjoyed a magnificent performance by the Lajes do Pico Choral Group — founded by the Maestro himself — in a moment that deepened the emotion and symbolism of the tribute.

From Municipality Press Release

We thank the Luso-American Education Foundation for its support.