Father Fontes honoured and moved with the title of Ambassador of Alto Tâmega e Barroso
António Lourenço Fontes, known to all by Father Fontes, was yesterday, March 27, during the Forum Tourism, Sustainability and Growth of the Interior, at Casino de Pedras Salgadas, honoured with the title of Ambassador of Alto Tâmega and Barroso. A gesture of thanks from the territory for all the work developed in its favour.
It was with tears in his eyes and accompanied by a rain of applauses that Father Fontes went on stage to receive what is “the tribute that he most values”, according to Fátima Fernandes, Mayor of Montalegre. The mayor, with a choked voice, praised the recognition to who is the greatest living figure of his municipality saying that this was a consensual decision between the six mayors because, despite being a personality very closely linked to the county of Montalegre all the other municipalities recognize the merit for everything he did and still does for the region, particularly in the tourism sector.
Fátima Fernandes recalled that in 2010 was sent to the Presidency of the Republic a petition signed by hundreds of well-known people to be awarded to Father Fontes “an honorary medal for all services rendered on behalf of Transmontana culture. Since, to date, this request has not been met, a new petition will now be sent, which the Barroso mayor made a point of reading to the more than 200 people present in the room.
The trophy was delivered by the hands of Fátima Fernandes, accompanied by the other five mayors of the region and the other two ambassadors who already integrate this network since last year.
Father Fontes also had the opportunity to thank everyone for the distinction, lamenting not having more health to be able to continue to give more for the region, and appealed to all to be ambassadors of the Region.
The network of Ambassadors of Alto Tâmega e Barroso aims to recognize the value of citizens/entities from the territory that in various areas of activity have had a path of excellence, keeping the pride in their origins and having as principles the humility and the ability to overcome.
The entire life path of Father Fontes, which can be found in detail in the attached document, is in line with this purpose, highlighting his resilience, since, despite his health condition having worsened over the past few years, and his advanced age, he accepted the disease, not letting the diagnosis be a limiting factor for his contribution to the growth and recognition of the region.
Link to the news at: NEWS
