José Gomes Ferreira

Category: Nature > Garden

District: Lisboa > Oeiras > Oeiras > Casalinho Morais

Location

In the Casalinho Morais area, in Oeiras, lies a unique tribute to the poet José Gomes Ferreira. This work is integrated into a remarkable green space in the locality, offering a tranquil and accessible environment for visitors. Its position within the municipality of Oeiras makes it an easily reachable point of interest, framed by an urban landscape that invites reflection.

The Militant Poet

José Gomes Ferreira, born in Porto in 1900, was a prominent figure in 20th-century Portuguese literature. A poet and writer, his life and work were deeply linked to journalism and civic commitment. Recognized for his interventionist and vigilant poetry, he distinguished himself throughout his career, culminating in the "Grande Prémio da Poesia" (Great Poetry Prize) from the Portuguese Writers' Society in 1961, for his collected work "Poesia III." His writing, forged in the cities, reflected a critical spirit and a strong social conscience, always defending the disadvantaged and the causes of justice.

The Sculptural Work

To celebrate the memory of José Gomes Ferreira, a sculpture by Francisco Simões was erected. The work, sculpted in white Lioz stone, captures the essence of the poet. A skull intentionally breaks classical proportions, a reference to the writer's singular moral profile. Behind the head, a hand and an arm in an almost penitent position convey a painful and profound perspective on existence. The sculpture's visual composition is enriched by the presence of vertical bars, alluding to the poet's unwavering integrity and his experiences of imprisonment.

Symbolism and Message

This artistic representation of José Gomes Ferreira is more than just a figure; it is a living symbol of the "militant poet," of "João Sem Medo" (John the Fearless) who used words to denounce social fractures and injustices. The sculpture, with its own language, points to a poetic writing with a strong ideological facet, fully assumed. Adjacent to the sculpture, an ancient olive tree symbolizes the resilience of the author's poetry, which, like the tree, was never felled by adversity, always remaining strong and persistent.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt