It was with deep regret that I received the news of the passing away of Manoel de Oliveira, the greater worldwide symbol of Portuguese cinema and one of the more significant names in the history of the Seventh Art.

Portugal lost one of the most relevant figures of its contemporary culture, who greatly contributed towards the Country’s international prominence.

Further to the quality of his art, internationally renowned and rewarded with the most important prizes, Manoel de Oliveira’s work was always an unmistakable token of Portuguese culture, in the interpretation of which he was unrivalled, both in its popular and in its learned dimensions.

I had the privilege to accompany the course tread by Manoel de Oliveira throughout his life, so full of the many successes which characterized several Portuguese generations.

In 2009, during the visit I held in Germany, I had the opportunity to confirm, in an exhibition in Berlin on his cinematic work, the prestige of his name outside our national borders.

In the previous year, here in the Palace of Belém, we celebrated his centenary at a dinner attended by his family and his elected performers.

Manoel de Oliveira is an example for the new generations. Right until the end of his life he had projects for the future and was always able to overcome any difficulties.

His work attracted many foreign names of the Seventh Art, who considered him a major cinema director and with whom they were always ready to collaborate.

In this moment of mourning for our culture, on behalf of the Portuguese and in my own personal name, I address Manoel de Oliveira’s Family our deepest condolences.