By: ELOISE WALTON
ANÍBAL CAVACO Silva, President of Portugal, and his wife Maria Cavaco Silva, visited Loulé on Saturday to inaugurate the new municipal archives and a very special art exhibition.
A large crowd turned out in front of the Paços do Concelho, the Câmara Municipal building, in the centre of Loulé, around 5pm, for the President’s arrival. Loulé Bombeiros had prepared for the occasion with a parade and remained on the road in front of the building, as it had been closed for the afternoon.
Several political, military and diplomatic figures attended the event, including Celia Edwards, the new British Consul
 President Cavaco Silva with his wife Maria greeting the crowd in front of Loulé Câmara. Photo: ELOISE WALTON |
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who arrived on July 23 to take up the post in Portimão.
Upon arrival, the President greeted Dr Seruca Emídio, President of Loulé Câmara, and Dra Isilda Gomes, Civil Governor of Faro, and then stood for the national anthem, before thanking the bombeiros for their presence and preparations.
Good relationship
After greeting members of the public and the musical band, the President walked to the new municipal archive building in a small street nearby. Inside, Dr SerucaEmídio gave a speech, which was reciprocated by the President. Upstairs, the President was shown some of the oldest and most prized documents in the new archive, including the Foral de Loulé, a royal document giving the city its own jurisdiction, written in 1504.
As the President left through the rear exit of the building, the crowd applauded and, once again, he spoke to several people in the crowd.
Upon being asked about his views on the current relationship between Portugal and the United Kingdom, President Cavaco Silva said they were excellent, adding: “Portugal has a very good relationship with the United Kingdom, which has recently been reinforced by José Sócrates’ visit to the new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
“It is very important for Portugal to maintain a good relationship with all countries in the European Union, including Germany and France.”
Following this, the President then lead the crowd down several narrow traditional streets to the Galeria de Arte Convento Espírito Santo, on Rua Vice Almirante Cândido dos Reis, where he inaugurated his brother’s art exhibition. This was entitled Água, Raizes e Sol, ‘Water, Roots and Sun’, and will be exhibited until September 1.
The New British Consul, Celia Edwards, who was present during the Presidential visit to Loulé, told The Resident: “This is the first event I have attended since arriving, however, I have already met a few people including the GNR Major Emílio and the RTA President.”
Mrs Edwards is looking forward to her new role in the Algarve and her first experience of a diplomatic post, having been a solicitor at the Bar in South London.
“As I only arrived a week ago on my own, I am just settling in but am looking forward to my husband joining me here soon,” she said.
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