Manuel Alegre de Melo Duarte

Manuel Alegre de Melo Duarte, born on May 12, 1936, in Águeda, Portugal, is a renowned writer and politician known for his significant contributions to Portuguese literature and his active role in the Socialist Party. He gained prominence not only for his poetry, notably 'Praça da Canção,' written during his imprisonment in Angola, but also for his political career, having served as vice-president of the Assembly of the Republic and as a member of the Council of State. Alegre's work has earned him numerous literary awards, including the prestigious Prémio Camões and Prémio Pessoa.