The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the Family of historian Óscar Lopes.

Following is the text of the message sent by President Cavaco Silva:

“It was with deep regret that I received the news of the passing away of Óscar Lopes, one of the intellectuals that more decisively influenced Portuguese culture throughout the last century.

A man of strong convictions and great civic drive he was, above everything else, a master, both for successive student generations and for the many readers of his many works.

An essayist and literary critic, a linguist and historian, Óscar Lopes was one of the most admired theorists in our literature, to which he consecrated, together with António José Saraiva, that which is, still today, the widest read history of Portuguese Literature.

In this hour of mourning for our culture, I address my most sincere condolences to the bereaved Family.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”