The sun is rising

From monoculture to true culture

Monchique. The many streets in the village that previously had no name are finally to be given one. Monchique is undergoing a transformation. The fact that there were numerous unnamed streets in the municipality’s villages, as well as other irregularities in house numbering and place-naming, led to the establishment of the Department for Place and Street Names during the previous legislative term (2021–2025) and the initiation of a comprehensive series of corrections. The process begins today, Saturday 21 March, the first day of spring, World Tree Day and World Poetry Day, with the unveiling of place name signs that highlight the local flora, in particular cork oaks, hydrangeas, strawberry trees, oleanders, lemon trees and marigolds (also known as calendula), as well as great names from literature and poetry, such as José Saramago, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Florbela Espanca and the Monchique-born professor and researcher José Rosa Sampaio.

At last. The time has almost come. The village of Monchique has a Casa do Povo once more. For many years, I have been writing about this subject here – time and time again, to no avail. As long as Monchique had no Casa do Povo, I determined that I would remain at a distance from this village; it could not and would not become my new home. This inner distance of mine had to be overcome. Alferce has such a house, Marmelete too, whereas Monchique treats itself to a ruin where the rain seeps through because the roof leaks, where the windows are broken – good heavens, what a disgrace for this village, hitherto so devoid of culture. There is a large hall on the first floor above the social security office, which is housed on the ground floor, with a stage for theatre performances and literary readings, a room – oh, what am I saying? – a hall, not just for exhibitions, but also for projecting films – and it all looks as though the Second World War has only just been lost in Monchique. Now I can write that the war is over, finished. At last. A new era is beginning. Peace at last? Yes.

And all it took was a piece of paper stating that the ownership of the house was being transferred to Monchique Municipal Council. The contract was signed by the master of ceremonies, Paulo Alves, who happens to be the mayor of Monchique. At last. I am so glad, because, with this house, culture will return to this cursed little place in the mountains between the Algarve and the Alentejo. For a moment, we will put thoughts of the forest fires behind us and breathe a sigh of relief. Monchique has broken free from the straitjacket of commercialism and bought its people a house that they sorely needed, for where else could they meet, dance, listen in reverence to visiting speakers and find time for art and culture? Where else could they form a society or association of their own?

You might ask: culture, what is that? Quite right. The house is still a ruin. Over the years, whenever anyone asked me where I came from and where I was going, I hardly dared to say that I lived in Monchique. Now we will have a budget in the council’s accounts set aside for repairing the roof and fitting new windows. Perhaps some tradespeople will apply for this work, competing with one another to redesign the community centre for culture. Music will play a role once more, the written and spoken word will regain their significance; people will dance and celebrate their weddings in the “People’s House” again, and associations will hold their annual general meetings here. The Jornal de Monchique will no longer announce only the recent deaths, but also the newborn babies, the couples entering into marriage, and those celebrating their hundredth birthdays in grand style with their loved ones, and all the other joyful events in life.

You young people who have emigrated over the years, please come back and help make Monchique a place of sincerity, an oasis of culture where peace is made with nature. This Casa do Povo has a deeper meaning for humanity. Something will grow, grow naturally, on a foundation. Wealth does not begin with the money one counts and puts in one’s pocket. Natural wealth begins in the early morning, when night slowly turns to day and the birds sing a song at dawn about what the future has in store for the world. Now, after what feels like an eternity in Monchique, a place where beauty has lain hidden in the darkness, I have arrived in the light. I have a home again. Thank you.