To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, math and Portuguese teacher Gonçalo Fino De Sousa along with his Portuguese 1 class hosted a party for the school.
“I loved it all. I would love to do something like this again,” said sophomore Jordan Viviano, who helped set up the event. “A party like this opens people up to different types of cultures.”
Before the event on April 25, Sousa and some of his students made paper carnations to give out to students. After school, the party was held in Sousa’s classroom with trivia ready for anyone to play. Portuguese pastries, known as pastéis de nata, were also available to anyone attending.
Students in the Portuguese 1 class made a video about how the Carnation Revolution was a military coup to overthrow the dictatorship of Portugal, which was played during the party for guests to watch. It was a peaceful revolution where soldiers received carnations from the civilians to show peace, not violence. The revolution ended on April 25, 1974, with Portugal becoming a democracy.
“The Carnation Revolution was entirely peaceful,” junior Benjamin Recinos said. “It gives awareness to how violence is not always the answer.”
Sousa arranged the event because he believes that it helps students learn more effectively. He plans on doing this same party every year and in the future, he hopes to include more events like this one.
“Learning happens by connecting with the stories that make something,” Sousa said. “That connection can happen through a textbook, movie, documentary or even eating a pastry.”
