Saturday, November 5, 2016

Germano Silva. Historian and “the eternal apprentice journalist” is the new ‘honoris causa’ of the UP – Express

The University of Porto (UP) attributed this Thursday the title of doctor honoris causa to the journalist and historian Germano Silva. The noble hall of the Rectory was filled with people, from the most varied quarters of the public life of the Portuguese, who wished to pay homage to the man who best knows the Invicta city and that found on the streets of his encyclopedia.

The culture to sports, the political universe to the academic world, Germano Silva is someone that granjeia sympathy and admiration for his legacy. The historian became this Thursday at 92.No doctor honoris causa of the UP and joins a range of personalities of which are set out in figures such as Eugénio de Andrade, Agustina Bessa-Luís, Vasco Graça Moura, Jean-Claude Juncker, Jorge Sampaio or Marcelo Rebelo Sousa. The current President of the Republic could not attend the ceremony, but made sure to leave a message to the recipient.

"I would Like to congratulate Germano Silva by phd honoris causa, and by the recognition that this award represents a personal trajectory is made with simplicity, persistence and dedication to the city of Oporto and its fellow citizens," wrote the PR in a text read by the rector of UP, Sebastião Feyo de Azevedo.

then, the degree of merit was awarded by the rector of UP, in a ceremony that counted with the praise of the work of the historian the office of Luís Miguel Duarte and with the patronage of the cardinal patriarch of Lisbon, D. Manuel Clemente, the previous bishop of Porto.

"If you want to be universal start by painting your village"

At the ceremony were present, among many others, the mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, politicians, journalists and friends of Germano Silva, icons of the sport, such as Rosa Mota, or personalities linked to culture and to the art, such as Pedro Abrunhosa. Until Manuel Lace, the iconic adept boavisteiro made it a point to attend this tribute to the "humble man" who told Espresso, much has been learned.

"it Is my authentic teacher," says the supporter chequered, whose heart today is filled with joy, but not for the exploits of Boavista. "Today my heart will be more joyful and richer, because I see pay homage to a man that I both admire and by those who so much esteem I have. Portugal the city of Porto and in need of many Germans," he says.

The ex-olympic athlete Rosa Mota spoke to Express of the friend of long date, of the "great man" with "the facility to captivate people" in your perspective "teaches you to enjoy even more of the city of Porto and makes us discover things that we don’t know". Also Pedro Abrunhosa revealed "admiration professional" and "friendship immense" by this man "translates the city."

The musician porto regained a passage from the Russian writer Tolstoy who, in his opinion, is representative of the work of Germano Silva: "if you want to be universal start by painting your village". And so it was, in fact, the route of the journalist and historian, 85 years old, from a small village in Penafiel up to become one of the greatest sources of knowledge about the city of Oporto.

The thin young man of solipas in the feet that came to the Port to make History

Born in São Martinho of Recezinhos, October 13, 1931, in Porto, grew up, became a man and helped to cultivate so many others over the years. After completing the primary education, the skinny man with 11 years of solipas sidewalks on the feet, he began to work as a laborer manufacturing, to help the family who lived in one of the numerous "islands" of the city. In those times, "the main concern were not the books, but survival," he says.

"Seventy years later, this young man is this man with white hair," said Germano Silva during the speech of thanks. "How was it possible to reach up to here?" we question the "eternal apprentice journalist", as it is considered, stating that "journalism is born and dies every day."

The first master who had, during childhood, was the grandmother Julia. Could not read or write, but her German has learned to "understand and love nature," he says. Through these stories, accustomed to read in-between the popular wisdom and the humility that still today accompanies it. "I am know to listen to those who had something useful to say to me," explained Germano Silva during the speech.

In the decade of 50 began to study at night, and in the former Commercial School of Oliveira Martins, where he obtained the General Course of Trade. Then, he worked as a clerk in the Hospital of Santo António, where he had the opportunity to meet several journalists who came looking for news.

Shortly after, in 1956, started his journey in the world of journalism as a contributor to sports in the "Journal News", and later admitted in the tables redatoriais. One day he was told by the editor: "only thou shalt be a good reporter if you know the city well". And this was the turning point in the life of Germano Silva, who spent the to walk through all the streets, all the corners, looking for stories to tell. Thus did the historian. So become a storyteller as a few.

Germano Silva has an extensive bibliography on the Port, regularly organizes guided tours through the city, with six decades of experience in journalism, area to which it remains connected. He was a member of the "Express" and currently remains as a chronicler in "Vision" and in the "Journal News".

LikeTweet

No comments:

Post a Comment