Message of Condolences - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

It was with deep sorrow that I received the news of the passing of Álamo Oliveira, a man whose life was dedicated to literary creation, the defence of Azorean culture and the promotion of our people's identity.

The news of Álamo Oliveira's passing has left us emptier. We have lost a man who, throughout his life, was one of the most authentic voices of the Azorean soul. A restless creator, generous and deeply connected to the roots of our islands, their people, their pain, their joys and their memories.

Born in Raminho, on Terceira Island, Álamo was not just a writer, poet and playwright. Above all, he was a man who chose to live through words. He wrote as someone who listens, as someone who seeks to give meaning to who we are. And he did so with rare dedication, truthfulness, rigour and a deeply moving sensitivity.

His work is extensive, diverse, and deeply memorable. There are nearly 40 books, including poetry, novels, plays, short stories, and essays, many of which have been translated and read beyond borders. Beyond the books, what remains are the ideas, the questions, the stages he graced, the readers he touched, and the young people he inspired. Above all, what remains is a very unique and personal way of being in the world with dignity, courage, and beauty.

He was the founder of Alpendre – Theatre Group, where he passionately took on the role of artistic director and stage director. His plays, like his lyrics and creations for popular culture, showed a keen eye on society and a deep concern for human beings. And perhaps this is what stays with us most: Álamo saw words as a way to lift the spirit, repair what is broken and give meaning to what is difficult to name.

Emigration, longing, a sense of belonging, the struggle for justice, and faith in others—all of this runs through his writing like a thread of hope. This hope is perhaps his greatest legacy. A hope that is not naive, but made of resistance and tenderness. He truly believed that literature could change something in the world.

Álamo was bestowed the Autonomous Region of the Azores' Commendation of Recognition and the rank of Commander of the Order of Merit by the President of the Republic. Nevertheless, the greatest distinction is one that only time can bestow: permanence. And that, he has achieved.

On behalf of the Government of the Azores and on my behalf, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who walked alongside him. Álamo Oliveira has left us, but he gives us the most precious of gifts: his words remain, his memory shines brightly, and the spirit of the Azores lives on.

José Manuel Bolieiro

President of the Government of the Azores