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 May 12, 1936) is a famous Portuguese poet and politician. He ran for President of Portugal in 2006 and 2011. In both elections, he finished in second place. He also won the important Camões Prize in 2017 for his amazing writing.
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About Manuel Alegre
Manuel Alegre was born in Águeda, Portugal. His father was Francisco José de Faria e Melo Ferreira Duarte. His mother was Maria Manuela Alegre. Manuel Alegre's sister, Maria Teresa Alegre de Melo Duarte, was also a Deputy (a member of parliament).
Manuel Alegre's Career
Manuel Alegre was a member of the Portuguese Communist Party when he was young. He left the party in 1968 because he disagreed with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Today, he is known as one of the most left-leaning members of the Portuguese Socialist Party.
Fighting for Freedom
While studying law at the University of Coimbra, Alegre spoke out against the government. Portugal was ruled by a dictatorship called the Estado Novo at that time. He was forced to join the army and was sent to Portuguese Angola. There, he was involved in a military rebellion attempt and was put in prison.
After his time in prison, he returned to Coimbra. In 1964, he went into exile, meaning he had to leave the country. He lived in Algiers for ten years. During this time, he worked for a radio station called Rádio Voz da Liberdade (Freedom's Voice). This station broadcasted to Portugal. He shared information to support African groups who were against Portugal's military actions in the Portuguese Colonial War.
The government banned his first books, but people still shared them secretly. Manuel Alegre returned to Portugal in 1974. This was just one week after the Carnation Revolution, which ended the dictatorship peacefully.
Life in Politics
After returning, he quickly joined the Socialist Party. He was elected to Parliament in every election from 1975 to 2005. He also served as one of the vice-presidents of Parliament.
Many of his poems were turned into songs. Famous singers like Zeca Afonso and Adriano Correia de Oliveira sang them. One of his poems, "Uma flor de verde pinho," even won the 1976 Festival RTP da Canção. This song then represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In 2005, a statue was built in his honor in Coimbra. In 2006, he ran for president of Portugal. Even though his party supported another candidate, he came in second place. He also ran for president again in 2011, finishing second once more.
Manuel Alegre is also a member of the Portuguese Council of State. This is an important group that advises the President of Portugal.
Awards and Honors
Manuel Alegre has received several important awards for his work and contributions to Portugal:
Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty, Portugal (1989)
Grand Cross of the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, Portugal (2016)
Grand Cross of the Order of Camões, Portugal (2024)
Manuel Alegre's Family
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
