Costa was a foundling, not acknowledged by his birth parents until he was 10 years old. Trained as a lawyer, he soon became a leading light in the Republican Movement. An implacable foe of both the monarchy and the Catholic Church, he was among the founding fathers of the Portuguese Republic as we know it today.

During the stormy years of the First Republic, he led Portugal´s participation in the Great War. These presentations will take place in Lagoa Municipal Library (Tuesday 27 January at 6pm) and in Tavira Municipal Library (Friday 30 January at 11am). These sessions are free to attend.

Ps Lynne and I will organise a lunch at our usual restaurant after the Tavira session.