Jornal Comunidades Lusófonas came into contact with the granddaughter Sheila Abranches, of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, the Consul of Bordeús. His memory will now be perpetuated in his old house in Passal, in Cabanas do Viriato, which was restored to house the entire family estate and not just the museum where everyone can see his story and the work of this humanist. Granddaughter’s Sheila Abranches confided in us about the importance of this museum. “All” the memories can be acceced now in this Museum, one of the most known portuguese Consul around the world, regarding in the nobelty work as a humanist and humanbeing.
Sheila Abranches started to say that in the early days of the restoration, she enjoyed seeing the progress from afar and from an emotionally detached perspective. However, being there in person with her immediate family and so many cousins, children of visa recipients and long time supporters was very exciting! To finally be a witness and participant in such a joyous celebration was amazing! “The house looks spectacular.” It was also bitter sweet thinking of those who are no longer with us.
She also said that the this museum is in honor of her grandfather, Aristides de Sousa Mendes do Amaral e Abranches and his courage during World War II. “My father was their youngest son, number thirteen, and was a young boy during the war.” she came in with no expectations and was very happy with the way everything turned out. The entire team who made this family dream a reality did an amazing job and “I am in awe when I think of all that had to happen to bring this dream to a reality.” All the family members who have devoted themselves to her grandfather’s restoration as well as everyone else who had a hand in this journey.
Family’s point of view of the Museum
The family was very pleased with the museum. Because “we are such a large family and have been raised in different countries, we have not heard all of the same stories and walking through the museum gave us opportunities to learn new information that was shared from different branches of the family.” Personally, she is very pleased and satisfied knowing that her grandfather’s story now has a permanent home in the house he bought and turned into a home “with my grandmother, their children and extended family members.” Sheila said.
When she entre into the house the feeling she had is very profound, “I found the ceremony before we walked through the museum to be very emotional at times. When it was time to walk through the museum, I was very excited to go through all the spaces my father talked about when we were young and had to go through it a couple times. I also found the evening ceremonies to also be very emotional.”
The Museuam now is a reality so Sheila most definitely would recommend this museum, the surrounding grounds and the park above to anyone visiting Portugal. (The statue of Christ was commissioned after the family returned from Brazil and there are two trees by the church, one from Brazil and another from California.)
