Located in the heart of Lisbon, this iconic statue pays homage to the life and works of Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935). The bronze sculpture stands tall at 12 meters high and was created by sculptor João Cutileiro.
Born in Lisbon, Fernando Pessoa is considered one of the greatest Portuguese writers and poets of all time. He wrote under several pseudonyms such as Álvaro de Campos, Ricardo Reis, Alberto Caeiro and Bernardo Soares. His work has been translated into more than 40 languages worldwide, making him an internationally renowned writer.
The statue was unveiled on June 13th 1998 by then President Jorge Sampaio during his first official visit to Angola since its independence from Portugal in 1975. In attendance were members from both countries who had gathered to celebrate their shared history with a special focus on Pessoa’s legacy as a bridge between cultures – something that continues today through his works, which are known for their universal appeal.
The monument itself consists of two large wings made out of stainless steel which represent the poet’s dual identity: ‘Portugal’ and ‘Angola’; while his figure stands atop them holding up a book representing freedom and knowledge that he brought into our lives with his writings. The base also features some words written by him which read “Cada homem é uma nação” – Every man is a nation – emphasizing how each individual can make an impact if they choose to create meaningful change within society or culture at large scale levels like what he did through literature throughout Europe and beyond.
