The Carnation Revolution and the Portuguese Transition to Democracy
The 3rd International Event of the FREI – From Resistance to European Integration project will take place in Lisbon on 23–24 April 2026, bringing together consortium partners and young participants from 7–9 European countries. The event is organised at a symbolic historical moment, immediately ahead of the 25 April commemorations, marking 50 years since Portugal’s first free legislative elections and the adoption of the democratic Constitution.
Portugal offers a unique case of a peaceful democratic transition combined with decolonisation, making it a powerful setting to reflect on how historical memory, post-colonial legacies and commemorative practices shape democratic awareness today. Through a combination of site-based learning, testimonies, participatory workshops and collective reflection, the event connects past struggles with present challenges and future democratic responsibilities across Europe.
Draft Programme:
Thursday, 23 April
Morning | Museum of Aljube – Resistance and Freedom
Institutional welcome
(FMSMB, FREI project, Representation of the European Commission in Portugal – TBC)Shadows of the Past
Testimony of a former political prisoner or victim of the dictatorship, followed by discussion
Guided visit to the Museum of Aljube
Light lunch
Afternoon | Mário Soares and Maria Barroso Foundation
Commemorating Democracy
Short partner inputs (Portugal, Austria, Greece, Italy, Romania) on memory policies and official commemorations
Unarchiving Democracy Workshop
Identify a future democratic concern
Link it to an archival or historical item
Create a short digital narrative explaining why it should be “unarchived”
Visit to the exhibition on Mário Soares and the Portuguese Revolution
Late Afternoon / Evening | Largo do Carmo
Symbolic commemorative action at Largo do Carmo,
where the dictatorship formally surrendered on 25 April 1974
Collective visual action
(e.g. carnations, balloons or agreed symbol), explicitly linked to FREI activities
Dinner near Carmo Square
Friday, 24 April
Morning | Belém – Monument of the Discoveries
The Silenced Histories of Lusophone Communities
Contributions from post-colonial studies, civil society and Lusophone community representatives
Visit to the Monument of the Discoveries
Parallel sessions:
Steering Group Meeting
Interview session with one representative per partner
Lunch near Belém
Partners of the event:
Museum of Aljube – Resistance and Freedom
Lisbon Municipal Company for Cultural Equipment Management and Animation / Lisbon Culture
Mission Structure for the Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the 25 April 1974 Revolution
Photo credit: https://www.museudoaljube.pt/
More detailed information on the event and its outcomes will be included in the FREI Guide Book, where readers will also find links to related materials and the project’s online exhibition. The FREI project is funded by the CERV- Citizens Equality Rights and Values programme of the European Union.