José Joaquim Figueira Rosa, born in Aljustrel, has lived in Amadora since 1971. At the age of 96, he keeps alive the connection to the Alentejo, now expressed through poetry, after more than five decades dedicated to the Alentejo cante.
He arrived in Amadora even before the 25th of April and currently lives in his own house on Avenida do Brasil, in Falagueira. Despite his markedly Alentejo accent, he says he already feels more amateurish than Alentejo.
For 54 years, he participated in choral groups, having been one of the founders of the group “Alentejo Residentes na Amadora”, created in 1971. His connection to music dates back to his childhood, when he was part of the choral group of the Casa do Povo de São João de Negrilhos, in the municipality of Aljustrel.
José Joaquim also has a professional career linked to the food industry, having worked for more than 30 years at the Riviera biscuit factory, in Amadora, where he operated machines for the production of various types of biscuits, such as Maria, Torrada and Água e Sal.
Widowed for 14 years, he maintains a close relationship with his daughter, who lives in Sintra and works at the city council, and with his grandson, a resident of Buraca, father of a four-year-old great-granddaughter. Despite his advanced age and hearing limitations, he remains lucid and in a good mood.
He started working early, still in his teens, in agricultural tasks in the Alentejo. He recalls the difficult times of the dictatorship, mentioning that, although he himself was not a direct victim, his father was even assaulted by the PIDE.
At the age of 96, José Joaquim continues to share his memories and affections for his homeland, now through poems he writes in honor of the Alentejo.
Photo: newinamadora.nit.pt/
