Steppingstone to the Future

The City of Funchal’s 5th Centennial celebrations, which took place between 2004 and 2008, having climaxed in 2008, were as much an opportunity for the City to rethink itself as they were a chance to put itself on display for the world and its own to see.

The many events that brought these celebrations to life can be revisited on this website. Furthermore, all the many books of the ‘Funchal 500 Years’ Collection are made available here: over 40 works which cover such diverse themes and fields as the history of the city and the Region; novels; poetry; and children’s literature. In this way, this website is ideally suited as a research instrument for all those interested in gaining a deeper knowledge of a city blessed with a wealth of monuments and natural patrimony, as well as culturally and creatively endowed.

In 2008, innovative work methodologies were conceived in which synergies were established, through the joint efforts of the city and Region’s living forces, in areas such as culture, patrimony, sports, the environment, science, entertainment, and literary production. Cooperation was the keyword upon which was founded a commemorative calendar, widely applauded for its coherence and high standards, quality-wise.

It gave us great pleasure to develop these commemorations, helping to shape them in both structure and content. But the success of the celebrations was only possible thanks to the support of the hundreds of volunteers and associations, which collaborated wholeheartedly with us from day one; of the thousands of citizens who thronged the streets on the 21st of August to celebrate their city; of the extras that filled the avenues during the historical pageant; and of the volunteers that took part in the Tall Ships Race, so as to be part of a unique project which boosted Funchal’s international exposure. Credit is also due to all those who visited the ships; attended the exhibitions or displayed their works; wrote books or read them; applied their creativity; observed, thought and felt the city and, in doing so, are now better able to experience it.
But, first and foremost, credit is due to the city itself. A city which is now better understood and, therefore, better prepared to meet future challenges. A city which was once a steppingstone to the world and now aspires to be a steppingstone to the future.

The www.funchal500anos.com website will continue on-line. Here you can acquire or consult works published in 2008. All the past events are documented with text and pictures. The philosophy that guided these commemorations continues on-line, as well as the entries referring to the City’s History which constitute an important part of the documentation available on this website.

www.funchal500anos.com will live on.