José Afonso, the Popular Power and LUAR

Abstract

José Afonso renewed his musical work in the Algarve, between 1958 and 1964. This process coincides with the General Humberto Delgado’s presidential campaign, the Opposition candidate. His performances also began to take place in popular associations. He composed “Grândola, Vila Morena” in this context. After Mozambique, between 1964 and 1967, having deepened his anti-colonial awareness, he moved to Setúbal. He collaborated with all anti-fascist forces and despite frequently being identified with the PCP (Partido Comunista Português), he is close to the revolutionary left. He sympathizes with LUAR (Liga de Unidade e Acção Revolucionária), created in 1967, known for the robbery of the Bank of Portugal in Figueira da Foz. After the 25th of April, in solidarity with the workers and grassroots dynamics, internationalist, he was enthusiastic about the Popular Power project, expressed in many of his songs. LUAR ended in 1976, but José Afonso remained an activist in the field of the revolutionary left, although without any party involvement.