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On the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the birthday of Miguel Torga, I recapture his memory in this House where he lived for decades, and leave my testimony of esteem for this great literary person and exemplary citizen.

In his powerful written word, an entreaty of the country which witnessed his birth, in his exemplary civic dignity, in the fullness of his character, we rediscover Portugal, in all that is best and deepest in our Nation.

«Stretch of land bordered by the sea», was Torga’s description of our Country. It wasn’t casually that I used this sentence in the speech I addressed when taking office as President of the Republic. It is the perfect synthesis of this our Portugal.

Miguel Torga was, for many generations, the speech of inconformity. Today, with freedom for every spoken word, he is our pride in being different and authentic Portuguese.

The national and international prominence of his works, the certainty that his writings are an affectionate and literary heritage which will persist for future generations, are the cause for this my sincere and grateful homage to this peerless spirit of our culture.