A transnational interweaving between the historically connected nations of Portugal and Brazil became evident once again in recent history. During the Carnation Revolution, both countries were popular destinations for (political) exile. Especially in relation to the commemorations of 25^th April, a cultural permeability between the countries can be observed.  

“When Spínola wanted to invade Portugal with the help of Brazil”. This was Manuel Carvalho’s headline in Público on 27^th April 2014. António de Spínola – the Portuguese Charles de Gaulle with a monocle – commanded the Portuguese troops in the Colonial War in Guinea-Bissau in the service of the Estado Novo between 1968 and 1973. In the final phase of the dictatorship, he attracted attention with his book Portugal e o Futuro (1974), which expressed strong criticism against the dictatorial regime. His disobedience drew the interest of the military opposition. On 25^th April 1974, he was elected by the MFA as the first president of the transition. The conservative Spínola quickly became disgruntled with the course of the revolution, had to resign on 30th September 1974 and finally fled into exile in Brazil via Spain and Argentina after an unsuccessful coup attempt on 11^th March 1975. The Brazilian military dictatorship’s approval of Spínola’s request for asylum put a strain on Luso-Brazilian relations. This was not least due to the fact that, once in Brazil, the restless general founded the “Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Portugal” (MDLP). This organisation agitated against the developments in Spinola’s mother country and became a disruptive factor in the democratic consolidation in Portugal that has received little attention in research to this day. This is, perhaps, all the more surprising given that Günter Wallraff’s publication of Spínola's renewed coup plans at the beginning of April 1976 attracted international attention.

Even before Spínola was granted asylum, the Brazilian military dictatorship was already hosting two prominent exiles from the overthrown Portuguese dictatorship – the former prime minister, Marcello Caetano, and the former president, Américo Tomás. Caetano, in particular, quickly gained a foothold in Brazil. On 1^st June 1974, he was appointed Professor of Comparative Law in Rio de Janeiro at the Gama de Filho University. In addition to his active professional life in exile, Caetano was keen to leave his mark on the memory of himself, Salazar and the Estado Novo. Most notably, his “Statement” (Depoimento) on the Carnation Revolution caused considerable tension in Luso-Brazilian relations in 1974, as Brasília did not comply with Portuguese demands to inhibit the publication of the book. The impact of other revisionist works by Caetano – A Verdade Sobre 25 de Abril (1976), Minhas Memórias de Salazar (1977) – as well as Thomáz’ Últimas Decadas de Portugal (1980) – on Portuguese memory culture also deserves scholarly attention.

That the 25^th April is a widespread phenomenon in Portugal has already been discussed elsewhere. In fact, the celebrations transcend the national borders of Portugal and are also celebrated on a smaller scale in other European countries and especially in Brazil. The transnationalisation of this Portuguese commemorative practice can be demonstrated by the “Cultural Centre 25 April” in São Paulo. It was founded in 1982 by the Portuguese-born Ildefenso Octávio Severino Garcia, who emigrated to Brazil at the age of eighteen. In parallel with the celebrations in Portugal, the cultural centre holds meetings on 25^th April to commemorate the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. Furthermore, the monument “The Gate of April” – an homage to 25^th April – can be visited in São Paulo. It was created in 2001 by the Portuguese sculptor José Manuel Aurélio and donated to the Brazilian city.