We spoke with computer engineer José António Faria e Silva, the driving force behind the creation of the Portuguese Napoleonic Association and its president for several years, about the role of historical recreation in preserving the memory of intangible heritage and the remembrance of a people’s identity.
Founding member of the Portuguese Association of Arms Collectors, of the Portuguese Association for the Preservation and Study of Historical Weapons, and of the League of Friends of the Military Museum of Lisbon, he has always been interested in the study and collection of antique weaponry, in particular that referring to the Napoleonic period.
Among the many activities he has been developing, he is co-author of the book “Armamento Ligeiro da Guerra Peninsular: 1808-1814” and author of several publications and communications on the subject, both in Portugal and abroad. Currently, he is a reference in the knowledge of the Peninsular War and the Napoleonic Wars.
When did you first become interested in the subject of the Peninsular War and the Napoleonic Wars?
From a very young age, and thanks to my grandfather, who was a History teacher, I attended several times the official commemorations of the Battle of Bussaco, organized by the Portuguese Army, which created in me a fascination for the beauty of the uniforms and weapons used at that time. Later, as an adult, I became seriously interested in that period that was so important for our country, studying this subject in more depth.
You organize, or co-organize, with the collaboration of different groups or associations, historical recreation events. When did you feel the need to set up an association that would include historical recreation groups that worked in Portugal the Napoleonic period?
The Portuguese Napoleonic Association, or ANP, had its genesis in 2002, being constituted by public deed in 2003 as the first association of historical recreation of the Napoleonic period in Portugal. From that year until 2015, it coordinated and organized, in Portugal, all historical recreation events related to the bicentennial of the Peninsular War, as well as participating in other historical recreations abroad. In 2015, and with the emergence of several groups and associations of historical recreation of that period, it was decided, in General Assembly, to transform the ANP into a federative entity that would bring together all these groups and associations, thus guaranteeing historical rigor in all events.
What was the first historical recreation in which you participated and how was that moment significant for you?
It was in 2003, in the small Spanish village of Albuera, a few kilometres from Badajoz. In this place, in 1811, one of the bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War was fought, in which the Portuguese Army was once again notable for its bravery and courage. Participating in this recreation strengthened my desire to remember the participation of the Portuguese army and its people in the Peninsular War.
What is the ANP's mission?
Not to allow the fall into oblivion of such a remarkable period for Portugal, remembering our soldiers and people who, through their courage and determination, managed to drive off the invading army.
How does the ANP relate to its European counterparts?
Since its formation, the Portuguese Napoleonic Association has had an excellent relationship with the other European Napoleonic associations, having signed, in 2013, a cooperation protocol with the Spanish Napoleonic Association.
Is it important to celebrate commemorative dates related to the Napoleonic campaigns?
It is important, especially for the younger generation, not to forget dates of such important events in our history.
To what extent can recreation contribute to the historical identity and collective memory of the Portuguese people?
An image is worth a thousand words. By recreating events with the utmost historical rigor, it is possible to convey a reliable image of our army of the time, without forgetting the common people, who sacrificed so much. This is the best contribution of serious historical recreation to revive our collective memory.
How can the Portuguese Army contribute to the consolidation of the ANP's work?
Since its foundation, the ANP has received full support from the Portuguese Army, which has contributed to consolidate, in our view, the importance of our activity as a positive contribution to the dissemination of our military history. This collaboration continues, with increased responsibilities after the signing, in 2018, of a collaboration protocol between the ANP and the Portuguese Army, represented in this act by the Honourable Major-General Aníbal Flambó, Director of the Directorate of Military History and Culture.
As a reference for the historical recreation groups re-enacting this era, what relationship does the ANP maintain with its associated groups?
The ANP provides full collaboration to the various groups and associations that adhere to it, sharing with all the knowledge and experiences acquired throughout its twenty years of existence.
What requirement must a group meet to be considered a re-enactment group?
As this is an unpaid activity, the first requirement is willpower and dedication to cultural dissemination. The second, and since there is an extensive bibliography and iconography from this historical period, its recreation or reconstitution must follow these primary sources, with no room for “inventions” that would discredit our objective.
How can the ANP be of help to people or groups wanting to get started in historical recreation?
By statute, the ANP supports the formation of new groups and associations that want to join this project.
Does the association provide training activities and/or learning and training workshops for those who want to be a recreator?
The ANP collaborates with public or private entities in training the elements of new groups and associations for the historical recreation of the Napoleonic period, co-organizing training activities and providing relevant information for the consolidation of their knowledge in this area.
How do you see the current state of historical recreation in Portugal?
Over the last few years there has been an increase in this activity, unfortunately interrupted in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. However, in this year 2022, I see with satisfaction the resumption of the same, with redoubled enthusiasm.
How many historical recreators are there currently in the country?
On this date, five groups/associations for historical recreation are federated in the ANP, namely, the Historical Reconstruction Group of the Municipality of Almeida, the Association for the Memory of the Battle of Vimeiro, the Portuguese Association for Historical Recreation, the Culture and Recreation Association 13 September 1913 and the Condeixa Historical Recreation Group, with a total of approximately 200 members.
What contribution can historical recreation give to the dynamism of Military Tourism or ‘tourism of emotions’?
The activity of military historical recreation is closely linked to Military Tourism, being an important partner in this segment of cultural tourism. ANP is an honorary associate of the Portuguese Military Tourism Association and of the Historic Route of the Lines of Torres Vedras.
Do you agree with those who defend that historical recreation should be understood as a ‘living history’, recreating the past in various aspects: civil, military, every day, scientific or artistic, way of dressing, speaking and acting? Or do you prefer the concept of re-enactment, recreating a historical event as if it were an artistic piece, based on the facts and its historical developments?
There is room for both approaches. The activity of the ANP has always been guided by the maximum historical rigor in terms of uniforms, weapons and military posture. The same happens in its departments that recreate the civil society of the time, being, for us, the concept of living history the same as re-enactment. Historical recreators are not extras or artists, they are men and women interested in propagating our history, with knowledge in the areas they recreate, and they do it gracefully, often at the sacrifice of their family lives. Artfully theatricalizing a historical event is a freer way of conveying it to the public. One thing is historical recreation, another is historical recreation, both being important for the dissemination of our History.
How can historical recreations be included in the structuring of a tourist product that adds value to the territories?
It is necessary to have a comprehensive view of Military Tourism, an integral part of Cultural Tourism. The tourist who is interested in cultural heritage, both material and immaterial, would certainly be pleased to see some activity of historical recreation in specific places, which would have to be defined and supported by the entities that protect them.
How do recreators interact with the public in order to provide them with a differentiating experience?
In the places where the historical recreations of a military event take place, there are structures set up so that there is interaction with the public, showing the experiences of the time, both military and civilian, being very gratifying to verify the interest that these complementary activities arouse in the assistance, mainly in the younger layers.
In the case of the Lines of Torres Vedras, what can historical recreation add to the competitiveness of this tourist-cultural destination?
The Lines of Torres Vedras are a historic military destination par excellence. A well-designed and coordinated program of historical recreation events would certainly be an asset to the rich built heritage, giving it a new lease of life.
