The President of the Republic sent a message of condolences to the Family of the actor Raul Solnado.

Following is the text of the message from President Aníbal Cavaco Silva:

"It was with great sorrow that I learned of the passing away of Raul Solnado, a figure who was well known and loved by the Portuguese, and whose disappearance creates an enormous void in all who congregated with him.

On behalf of the people of Portugal and in my own personal name, I address my heartfelt condolences to the Family of Raul Solnado, a great theatre, film and TV star, who marked an age and successive generations of artists.

For his course as an actor, and also for the extraordinary solidarity project which he developed in “Casa do Artista” (The Home of Artistes), of which he was still a board member, Raul Solnado is deserving of our deepest respect.

In this hour of mourning for national arts, and also to all those who had the privilege of his intimacy, it is with great sadness that I render my tribute to an outstanding personality who will eternally be a part of the History of the Theatre in Portugal.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva"