Portimão: ICIA pays tribute to António Borges Coelho

ICIA , founded in 1995 by a group of historians and researchers from Portugal, Spain and Brazil, including António Borges Coelho, was born from the desire to promote the study and dissemination of the culture and history of the Iberian countries, fostering dialogue between Atlantic and Mediterranean peoples.

Since then, over the course of thirty years, the Institute has consolidated itself as a platform for innovation, citizenship and cosmopolitanism, promoting colloquia, conferences, literary meetings, cultural trips, publications and academic partnerships that have enriched the cultural fabric of the region and the Ibero-Atlantic world.

It is worth highlighting the Ibero-American History Conferences which, between 1995 and 2005, projected the city of Portimão onto the national and Ibero-American cultural scene.

Combining history with literature, ICIA diversified its activities not only through the publication of magazines such as Atlântica, Meridional and Zeus, but also through numerous initiatives to promote books and reading and celebrating literary events, with a special mention for Manuel Teixeira Gomes.

In this context, the active participation of writers Nuno Júdice and Lídia Jorge, who were also presidents of the general assembly, stands out.

Paying tribute to Professor António Borges Coelho is also celebrating the journey of an institution that he himself helped to found and which, over three decades, has established itself as a space for dialogue, research and cultural sharing between the shores of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

Professor ABC was responsible for the creation of the Faro Support Center of the Faculty of Arts of Lisbon, in 1975, which later gave rise to the University of Algarve.

Dozens of people from the Algarve had the opportunity to study History, Modern Languages ​​and Literature and Law. Later, as president of ICIA, he contributed to the dissemination of history in the Algarve through the Ibero-American History Conferences that were held annually between 1995 and 2005.

The dynamics created by ICIA also allowed the signing of a protocol with the Faculty of Arts of the University of Lisbon (FLUL), the University of Algarve (UAlg) and the municipality of Portimão for the creation of three master's courses in this city, between 1998 and 2005, attended by 70 graduates from the Algarve.

In recognition of the relevance of Professor António Borges Coelho, as a historian and citizen, UALG awarded him the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa in 2009. The ICIA party will take place at the Auditorium of the Portimão Museum, on July 19, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The program will feature the participation of the Adágio Choral Group and the musician Afonso Dias.

The book «António Borges Coelho, Historian and Master» will be presented, which includes historiographical studies on his work and testimonies from friends and former students.

The work is coordinated by the co-founder and current president of ICIA, Maria da Graça Ventura, and published by Colibri. This book was born within this association from Portimão, whose history is indelibly intertwined with the life and work of Professor Borges Coelho.

The session also includes a speech by Professor Ana Isabel Soares (UAlg), on “Associativism and Individualism”, and another by Professor Vítor Serrão (FLUL) on “The worker-historian”.

ICIA invites all its associates, friends and former students of Professor António Borges Coelho to this tribute party, which also contains other surprises.