Hino dos Açores

Hino dos Açores

English: Anthem of the Azores
The Coat of arms of the Azores.
Regional anthem of Portugal
Lyrics	Natália Correia, 19 May 1979
Music	Joaquim Lima (1890) Original Teófilo Frazão (1979) Adaption
Adopted	21 October 1980

The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, has its own, unofficial regional anthem: the Hino dos Açores (English: Hymn of the Azores).

History

The original song was composed by Joaquim Lima, a musician and director, of the Philharmonic Band of Rabo de Peixe, the Filarmónica Progresso do Norte, in the 1890s, when a movement for autonomy was growing within the archipelago. It was first played by the band on February 3, 1894, and referred to as Hino Popular da Autonomia dos Açores (English: The Popular Hymn of Autonomy for the Azores).

On the same day, António Tavares Torres, President of the Executive of the municipality of Ribeira Grande, accompanied by a group of friends from the Filarmónica Progresso do Norte, went to Ponta Delgada to play the hymn in public. After playing for the members of the Autonomous Electoral Commission and, as it became late, they gathered at the Campo de São Francisco, with a large group of autonomy supporters, and crossed the streets towards the Centro Autonomista where they participated in a rally for the forthcoming general elections. During this rally several speakers promoted the autonomic agenda, including: Caetano de Andrade, Pereira Ataíde, Gil Mont'Alverne de Sequeira and Duarte de Almeida.

On April 14, 1894, Gil Mont'Alverne de Sequeira, Pereira Ataíde and Duarte de Andrade Albuquerque were elected deputies under the Autonomist banner, and celebrated their success with a march through the streets of Ponta Delgada accompanied by Philharmonic Bands playing the Hino da Autonomia.

On March 9, 1895 the philharmonic bands also played the Hino da Autonomia, in the municipal square of Ponta Delgada, during the festival marking the promulgation of the March 2, 1895 Decree establishing limited autonomy for the Azores.

Originally, Lima's anthem had no lyrics, but as a function of political evolution, many unofficial regional lyrics were written to support local autonomy. The first recognized hymn became the anthem of Partido Progressista Autonomista (English: Autonomous Progressive Party), led by José Maria Raposo de Amaral, in São Miguel. Its lyrics were composed by the poet António Tavares Torres, a native of Rabo de Peixe and political militant of the Progressive Party.

Modern anthem

Official flag of the Azores, adopted in the same Decree that instituted the Hymn

Following the legal autonomy of the Azores, the Regional Government asked Natália de Oliveira Correia (an Azorean poet) to compose official lyrics for the anthem. The government also adopted Teófilo Frazão's arrangement of the original melody, as the official version of the anthem.

It was approved by the Regional Assembly on May 19, 1979, promulgated and adopted on October 21, 1980, as a ceremonial anthem of the Regional Government.

The official version of the Azores Hymn was sung for the first time in public on June 27, 1984, by students of the Colégio de São Francisco Xavier, during a ceremony the reunited the President of the Azores (João Bosco da Mota Amaral), members of the Regional Government, and various official attendees. It was sung by 600 children, wearing blue skirts/pants, white shirts and yellow handkerchiefs, and directed by professor Eduarda Cunha Ataíde.

In nationalist terms, "A Portuguesa" remains the official anthem used in all government events, in sporting venues and other civic ceremonies: the Hino does not have legal standing with the National Anthem.

Lyrics

Portuguese:

English:

Deram frutos a fé e a firmeza no esplendor de um cântico novo: os Açores são a nossa certeza de traçar a glória de um povo. Para a frente! Em comunhão, pela nossa autonomia. Liberdade, justiça e razão estão acesas no alto clarão da bandeira que nos guia. Para a frente! Lutar, batalhar pelo passado imortal. No futuro a luz semear, de um povo triunfal. De um destino com brio alcançado colheremos mais frutos e flores; porque é esse o sentido sagrado das estrelas que coroam os Açores. Para a frente, Açorianos! Pela paz à terra unida. Largos voos, com ardor, firmamos, para que mais floresçam os ramos da vitória merecida. Para a frente! Lutar, batalhar pelo passado imortal. No futuro a luz semear, de um povo triunfal.

Bore fruits, faith and strength in the splendour of a new chant: the Azores are our certainty for the glory of a people. Forward! In communion, for our autonomy. Freedom, justice and reason are kindled in the high light of the flag that guides us. Forward! To struggle, to battle for our immortal past. In the future to cast the light, of a triumphant people. Of a destiny with dignity achieved we shall pluck more fruits and flowers; 'cause it's this the sacred sense of the stars that crown the Azores. Forward, Azoreans! For peace united with land. High flights, with passion, we draw, so that may flourish the branches of deserved victory. Forward! To struggle, to battle for our immortal past. In the future to cast the light, of a triumphant people.

References

Sources

• Faria e Maia, Francisco de Ataíde Machado de (1994). "Novas Páginas da História Micaelense". Jornal de Cultura (2 ed.). Ponta Delgada, Azores. pp. 390–391. 
• "Decreto Regulamentar Regional n.º 13/79/A". Lisbon, Portugal: Diário da Republica. 18 May 1975. pp. 3536. http://dre.pt/pdf1s/1979/05/11400/09810982.pdf. Retrieved 25 August 2010. 
• "Decreto Regulamentar Regional n.º 49/80/A". Lisbon, Portugal: Diário da Republica. 21 October 1980. pp. 3536. http://dre.pt/pdf1s/1980/10/24400/35363536.pdf. Retrieved 25 August 2010. 

External links

• Instrumental version