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I am very pleased to join the inaugural act of the Natália Correia Study Centre. Natália Correia was one of the most charismatic individualities that was born here, in the Azores, and marked with their talent both the cultural and the political Portuguese life in the 20th century.

The opening of this Centre represents, before anything else, new and relevant cultural equipment for the Ponta Delgada County Council, an area that will host an important part of the poetess’s estate and where her work will be, from now on, the object of research and debate.

I am however certain that all those who were personally acquainted with her, as well as those who venerate her memory and enjoy her work, will recognize the importance of the tribute paid by Ponta Delgada to the poetess, the political activist, parliamentarian and orator, who so often set Parliament on fire with her controversial speeches.

Natália Correia was in effect a unique figure, not just because of her literary genius, but also due to the strength and the courage with which she put forward her opinions, and for the drive which she always placed on the defence of the causes on behalf of which she fought.

As a writer her work was, since very early days, welcomed with praise, both in the literary medium as well as with the general public.

The drive of her imagination left nobody indifferent. She wrote verse and short stories, plays and novels. But, whatever the type, the exuberance of her style was always a reminder of the volcanic nature of the Azores islands, the cradle which she had truly never forgotten.

That was her style of writing, enthusiastic and exuberant. It was also her style of intervening, as a Member of Parliament or as a simple citizen in love with her Country, that Portugal which instead of a Fatherland, she loved to view as her Motherland, so great was the affection she felt for it.

Even before the 25th April, her nonconformism and her undeniable courage had led her to take part in several civic activities, in defence of freedom and human rights.

Once democracy was re-established, far from becoming conformed, she again returned to the first line of combat and fought on behalf of freedom of speech, of women’s rights, of defence of heritage and of cultural values.

Truly, she was not just a poetess, alien to what was going on about her or to the issues of her time. On the contrary, she was always a citizen filled with drive, intensely living the issues of her Country and fighting with determination and pluck for her beliefs.

Bearer of a strong personality, Natália Correia left indelible markers in all those who were her intimates, or who had the opportunity of listening to her, either in television, or in Parliament or even in the famous literary assemblies that she galvanized and that, immediately after the Revolution, were the meeting grounds of the military and of the politicians of the many different denominations, but where she was always the central figure.
It is to this great national figure, this writer and citizen, whom we are paying tribute today, probably the fairest tribute that may be paid to a writer.

From today onwards, in the parish where Natália Correia was born, 88 years ago, a house is open, a centre where all the interested parties may enter and dialogue with what remains of her and will be kept alive for all time: her work and her intellectual legacy.

I hope that it will become a creative and dynamic centre, a centre that honours, in effect, the name that we are bestowing upon it today and the individuality to whom it is dedicated.