Manuel Alegre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Alegre
GCL GCSE GCCa
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Manuel Alegre in 2017
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| Member of the Council of State | |
| Assumed office 29 April 2022 |
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| Appointed by | Assembly of the Republic |
| President | Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa |
| In office 2005–2016 |
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| Appointed by | Assembly of the Republic |
| President | Jorge Sampaio Aníbal Cavaco Silva Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa |
| In office 1996–2002 |
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| Appointed by | Assembly of the Republic |
| President | Jorge Sampaio |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Manuel Alegre de Melo Duarte
12 May 1936 Águeda, Portugal |
| Political party | Socialist Party |
| Children | 3 |
Manuel Alegre de Melo Duarte (born on May 12, 1936) is a famous Portuguese poet and politician. He is known for his beautiful poems and his long career in politics. He ran for President of Portugal twice, in 2006 and 2011, and came in second place both times. In 2017, he won the important Camões Prize for his amazing writing.
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Early Life and Family
Manuel Alegre was born in Águeda, Portugal. His father was Francisco José de Faria e Melo Ferreira Duarte. Manuel Alegre's sister, Maria Teresa Alegre de Melo Duarte, also became a Deputy, which is like a member of parliament. His nephew, Manuel Alegre Portugal, is a journalist.
Political Journey and Activism
Manuel Alegre started his political journey when he was young. He was part of the Portuguese Communist Party for a while. However, he strongly disagreed with the Soviet Union's actions in Czechoslovakia in 1968. After that, he became a key member of the Portuguese Socialist Party. He is often seen as one of the most left-leaning members of his party.
Fighting for Freedom
While studying law at the University of Coimbra, Manuel Alegre became known for speaking out against the government. Portugal was under a strict dictatorship called the Estado Novo at the time. He was forced to join the army and was sent to the Azores and then to Portuguese Angola.
In Angola, he was involved in a military rebellion attempt and was put in prison. After his release, he went into exile in 1964. He lived in Algiers for ten years. There, he worked for a radio station called Rádio Voz da Liberdade (Freedom's Voice). This station broadcasted to Portugal, sharing news and ideas that supported those fighting against the dictatorship.
The government banned his first books, but people still found ways to read them. They were passed around secretly. Manuel Alegre returned to Portugal in 1974, just one week after the Carnation Revolution. This revolution ended the dictatorship peacefully.
Joining Parliament
After returning to Portugal, Manuel Alegre quickly joined the Socialist Party. He was elected to the Portuguese Parliament in every election from 1975 to 2005. He also served as one of the vice-presidents of Parliament.
Literary Achievements
Manuel Alegre is a celebrated poet. Many of his poems have been turned into songs by famous Portuguese singers like Zeca Afonso and Adriano Correia de Oliveira. Even the musician Carlos Paredes played music inspired by his words.
One of his poems, Uma flor de verde pinho (A Flower of Green Pine), won the 1976 Festival RTP da Canção. This song then represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In 2017, Manuel Alegre received the prestigious Camões Prize. This award is one of the most important literary prizes for Portuguese-language writers.
Presidential Campaigns
Manuel Alegre ran for President of Portugal twice.
2006 Presidential Election
In 2005, he announced he would run for president in the 2006 Portuguese presidential election. This was even though his own party officially supported another candidate, Mário Soares. In the election held on January 22, 2006, Manuel Alegre received 20.7% of the votes. He came in second place, after the winner, Cavaco Silva. He even got more votes than his party's official candidate, Mário Soares.
2011 Presidential Election
He ran for president again in the 2011 Portuguese presidential election. In this election, he also finished in second place.
Current Role and Honors
Manuel Alegre is a Member of the Portuguese Council of State. This is an important group that advises the President of Portugal. He was chosen for this role by the Assembly of the Republic.
He has received several high honors for his contributions to Portugal:
- Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty (1989)
- Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword (2016)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Camões (2024)
In 2005, a statue was built in his honor in Coimbra, a city where he spent much of his youth.
Family Life
Manuel Alegre is married to Mafalda Maria de Campos Durão Ferreira. They have three children:
- Francisco Durão Ferreira Alegre Duarte
- Afonso Durão Ferreira Alegre Duarte (born 1976)
- Joana Durão Ferreira Alegre Duarte (born 1985)
Images for kids
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Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty
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Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
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Grand Cross of the Order of Camões
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Alegre para niños
