Our book, Exiled in Madeira, published last year, was first presented on 4 June in Porto at the Casa dos Livros villa, affiliated with the University of Porto, by our Deputy Scientific Director, Gergely Fejérdy, together with Professors István Rákóczi and Luís Carlos Amaral. The book was launched in one of the elegant buildings of this World Heritage Site, the former home of the Burmester family, German wine merchants who settled in the area in the 18th century. The event was opened by Paula Pinto Costa, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Arts, who is herself a historian. In addition to interested students and teachers, the First Secretary of the Hungarian Embassy in Lisbon, Gábor Iván, and the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Porto, Mário Barroca, were also in attendance, who, alongside Professor Rákóczi, greatly assisted in organising the event. At the end of the programme, there was an opportunity for a book signing, and we also donated a copy to the university and the city library. The leaders of the institution emphasised that they would be partners in a similar project, as the university considers Central European and Portuguese relations to be a topic of great importance, and would welcome a book launch and lecture on this subject in the future.
On 6 June, Gergely Fejérdy gave an interview in Lisbon to Leonídio Paulo Ferreira, deputy editor of the Portuguese daily newspaper Diário de Notícias. The topics discussed included the Portuguese connections of the last Habsburg monarch and his family, his days in Madeira, and the work of our Foundation. On the same evening, a book launch was held at the Hungarian Embassy in Lisbon, followed by a reception. Ambassador Emília Fábián welcomed the large audience gathered for the presentation of the English edition of Száműzöttként Madeirán, Exiled in Madeira. Among those present were the heir to the throne, the current head of the Portuguese royal family, Duke Dom Duarte Pio de Braganza, as well as numerous ambassadors, diplomats, members of parliament, clergy, and prominent representatives of the local Hungarian community, including Martinho Villani, a descendant of a famous Hungarian diplomatic family, and Hajnalka Juhász, vice president of the KDNP (Christian Democratic People’s Party), who happened to be in Lisbon at the time.
The first speaker, Jaime Nogueira Pinto, a professor of history and political science, provided an overview of the domestic political context in Portugal during the early 20th century, highlighting the broader European historical background and discussing issues surrounding the reception of the last Habsburg ruler in Portugal. This was followed by a presentation by our Foundation’s deputy director on the circumstances surrounding the publication of the book, its objectives and the last months of the Habsburg monarch in Madeira. Pedro Siqueira de Almeida shared family memories and letters related to Blessed Charles, recounting a few episodes from the close relationship between the Habsburgs and his grandparents, João de Almeida and Constança Telles da Gama. Afterwards, a lengthy discussion ensued with the audience, who were primarily interested in the work of the Otto von Habsburg Foundation. The volumes brought to the venue sold out immediately, and a long waiting list was soon formed. In light of the great interest, we intend to publish the book, Exiled in Madeira, online on our website.
Following the lectures, Baron Martinho Villani hosted a dinner for the speakers, the Hungarian ambassador and several Hungarian diplomats, who were joined by the heir to the Portuguese throne. During the reception, further plans were made to strengthen the ties between our Foundation and Portugal. The possibility of presenting the heritage of Otto von Habsburg, son of the last Habsburg ruler, was raised, which could open up new perspectives for deepening existing cooperation.
