Hymn of the Azores

Hino dos Açores
English: Hymn of the Azores

Regional anthem of Azores Portugal

Lyrics Natália Correia, 19 May 1979
Music Joaquim Lima (1890) Original
Teófilo Frazão (1979) Adaption
Adopted 21 October 1980

The Hymn of the Azores (Portuguese: Hino dos Açores) is an unofficial regional anthem used during some ceremonies in the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores. For official purposes the national anthem A Portuguesa is always used during government events, in sporting venues, and other civic ceremonies.

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 3 February 1894, and referred to as Hino Popular da Autonomia dos Açores (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 14 April 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 9 March 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 (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 Azorean poet Natália de Oliveira Correia 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.

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

The official version of the Hymn of the Azores was performed publicly on 27 June 1984 by students of the Colégio de São Francisco Xavier, during a ceremony that 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.

The official anthem A Portuguesa is used in all governmental capacities, in sporting venues, and during other civic ceremonies. The Hymn 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
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