The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the Family of author Urbano Tavares Rodrigues.

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

“It was with deep regret that both my wife and I received the news of the passing away of Urbano Tavares Rodrigues, one of the greatest names in Portuguese literature as well as intellectually driven on behalf of our cultural and civic life.

Endowed with rare sensitivity and the deepest of humanistic feelings, Urbano Tavares Rodrigues was not just the author or the inventor of the original wording that resulted in dozens of unforgettable works of fiction. He was also a brilliant academician, who justly deserved the esteem and affection of generations of students, and an individuality whose gentleness affected all who had the privilege of his acquaintance.

All such qualities, and more, were the reasons that caused my having decorated him, in 2008, with the Grand Cross of the Order of Sant’Iago da Espada.

On behalf of the Portuguese and in my own personal name, I address the Family of Urbano Tavares Rodrigues our very deepest condolences.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”