“Adé” he was called. This endearing nickname belonged to José Inocêncio dos Santos Ferreira. We stand before the José dos Santos Ferreira Statue. It is a tribute to a man who deeply loved Macau.
The José dos Santos Ferreira Statue commemorates a significant figure. He was the last Macanese writer to create in the Macanese patois. This unique dialect reflects Macau’s blended heritage. Ferreira was born in Macau on July 28, 1919. He passed away on March 24, 1993. His father was of European Portuguese descent. His mother was a Macanese native.
José dos Santos Ferreira dedicated his life to Macau. He penned eighteen works. These included poems and plays. He also wrote operettas. Ferreira even directed and acted in many of his plays. These performances showcased the Macanese dialect. He created various radio programs in the local tongue. The José dos Santos Ferreira Statue stands as a reminder of his diverse contributions.
His notable works include “Macau sa Assi”. It is written in patois and published in 1968. Also, there is “Qui-nova chencho” from 1974. “Poéma di Macau” poetry was released in 1983. Ferreira preserved Macanese culture. He used the language in his writings.
Ferreira’s work provides a glimpse into old Macau. “Macau di tempo antigo” captures this. It is a collection of poetry and prose in the Macanese dialect. Published in 1985, it preserves local stories. The José dos Santos Ferreira Statue honors this preservation.
Consider the statue a symbol of cultural pride. It embodies the spirit of Macau. José dos Santos Ferreira ensured its survival. He did it through his literary contributions. The José dos Santos Ferreira Statue inspires us. It reminds us to value our heritage. It encourages us to pass it on to future generations.