The Portuguese Society of Authors (SPA) begins the celebration of its centenary, a milestone that marks 100 years promoting and defending the rights of Authors and Culture in Portugal, with the announcement of its commemorations program. The official start of the celebrations, with the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic, took place on January 14, 2025, at 15:00, at SPA’s head office in Lisbon.
To mark this historic date, the renowned artist José de Guimarães created a work of art allusive of the anniversary which will be the image that SPA will disclosure throughout the year.
This work of art, kindly offered by José de Guimarães, a former member of the Board, symbolizes SPA’s commitment to artistic creation and to the values that have guided the Portuguese authors’ cooperative for a century and was publicly presented on January 14 in the presence of the Author.
During 2025, the building on Rua Gonçalves Crespo will display this new image, in a giant canvas.
Throughout the year, several initiatives will take place, among which we highlight:
- Documentaries with testimonies of dozens of Portuguese authors on the importance of being an author and SPA’s activity.
- Publication of a book composed of texts marking special dates over the years: Theatre Day, Music Day, Poetry Day and Author’s Day, called “In the Name of Authors”.
- An exhibition entitled “The Celebration of Authors”.
- The Portuguese Authors’ Day will be celebrated on May 22 with the delivery of SPA’s Medals of Honour, the “Achievement Award” and “Life and Work Award”.
- The centenary Gala will take place on May 29 at CCB, with a show celebrating SPA’s artistic activity and its future projection.
- The Portuguese Post Office will issue two special commemorative stamps dedicated to SPA’s centenary.
- In association with SPA’s centenary, the launch of an institutional campaign to raise awareness on copyright, with extensive national media coverage, including television, radio, outdoor posters, magazines, digital environment, etc., featuring authors from different creative fields, who have generously associated themselves with this celebration.
These initiatives, among others, not only enhance SPA’s 100-year legacy, but also promote reflection on the challenges and opportunities of artistic and cultural creation in a future that we know will be challenging and demanding.
In its centenary, SPA reaffirms its commitment to authors and their rights, to culture and to society in general, while celebrating its history and projecting the future of artistic creation in Portugal.
The High Patronage granted by His Excellency the President of the Republic is a recognition that highlights the historical and cultural importance of SPA both national and internationally. It should be underlined that SPA represents more than 27,000 Portuguese Authors, around 5 million international authors, covering all areas of creative work, from Music to Literature, Plastic Arts, Audiovisual, Dance and Theatre.
SPA has offices all over the country and is an active member of all the important international institutions related to copyright. Its president, José Jorge Letria, is a member of the Board of the European Group of Societies of Authors and Composers, based in Brussels.
Certain that culture is the essence of a people and its spiritual nourishment, as well as decisive factor in wealth production, SPA welcomes all those who would like to join us in these commemorations to distinctively celebrate throughout 2025 a century of commitment to artistic creation and culture in Portugal.
Lisbon, January 14, 2025
