Aos 72 anos, Onofre Varela, ilustrador e cartunista gondomarense, escreve as memórias de guerra no livro “191 – Memórias de um Soldado em Angola”. Ao Vivacidade, o autor confessa ter vivido “períodos muito duros”, contudo, encontra também momentos de humor, “porque nem todos os dias eram de guerra”.
Quem conhece o seu percurso notará que este livro representa uma mudança de estilo. Existe uma carga dramática muito vincada e pouco habitual nas suas obras…
É verdade. Sou um cartoonista e caricaturista, por isso sempre estive dedicado ao humor, que é o meu modo de estar na vida. No entanto, desta vez decidi contar a minha experiência na Guerra Colonial. Foram anos em que a juventude passou as passas do Algarve em terras africanas, mas também tivemos momentos de humor, porque nem todos os dias eram dias de guerra.
No meu livro conto alguns desses momentos.
Porquê a escolha do número “191” para o título do livro?
É o número do meu trauma, o meu número da tropa. Era soldado- condutor autorrodas.
Esteve três anos em Angola, partiu com 20 anos para África. O que esperava encontrar?
Fiz 20 anos em setembro de 1964 e, em fevereiro de 1965, assentei praça e fui para Angola. O recrutamento era obrigatório e ser militar não me seduzia porque estava cheio de projetos e sonhos. Queria ser pintor e a minha vontade era desenhar e pintar, nunca ser militar.
Contudo, havia uma guerra e eu fui para África por dever patriótico. Nesse período de três anos a minha vida estagnou. Fui como soldado-condutor, mas não estava com vontade de lidar com armas e acabei por apanhar quatro dias de cadeia à custa disso mesmo. Foi assim que comecei a minha estadia em África.
Como foram os primeiros meses em Angola?
Foram muito duros. Aquilo não era o meu modo de vida e a certa altura reparei que estava a violentar-me. Numa noite de ataque ao meu quartel tive que fazer a autópsia de um camarada que tinha feito a viagem de barco comigo, no meu camarote.
Era um camarada de Ermesinde, cheio de sonhos e projetos, mas a vida dele acabou ali. Foi o primeiro a morrer e isso mexeu muito comigo. Depois disso mudei a minha filosofia, fui ter com o sacerdote do meu batalhão e propus a criação de um grupo musical e de um jornal.
Qual era o objetivo?
O objetivo era fazer um jornal mensal, inédito, que contava as histórias do batalhão dos “Galos”, o nosso batalhão. O jornal chamou-se “Alvorada” e tinha o símbolo de um galo a cantar em frente ao sol. Curiosamente, mais tarde, viria a ser o símbolo da UNITA.
E do grupo musical…
O grupo acabou por ser formado por soldados das quatro companhias do nosso batalhão. Tínhamos um baterista, viola solo, viola ritmo, saxofonista e acordeonista. Entretanto, eu fazia stand up comedy, ilusionismo, pintava cenários e fazia teatro. Foi assim que ocupei os meus anos de serviço militar, com espetáculos no mato para todas as companhias.
Comecei a tropa com quatros dias de cadeia e acabei a receber três louvores.
Porque é que só agora resolveu relatar a sua experiência na Guerra Colonial?
Nos primeiros anos, após o regresso a Portugal, não quis mais ouvir falar da guerra. As experiências que vivi ficaram-me gravadas na memória e interrompiam-me o sono durante muitas noites. Curiosamente, em conversa com um amigo que esteve em Angola, cheguei à conclusão que não era o único a ter pesadelos.
O livro foi uma forma de combater esse trauma?
Acabou por ser. Não me posso queixar da minha vida militar, mas a guerra é sempre horrível. Porém, as experiências que vivi na tropa foram importantes para o meu futuro, sobretudo a disciplina militar. O exército foi um curso superior.
Porque é que demorou a ser editado?
O livro demorou quarenta anos até ser escrito e oito para ser editado. A ideia inicial começou por ser um romance vivido no período da Guerra Colonial, no entanto, quando comecei a escrever percebi que não sou romancista.
Voltei a arrumar essa ideia na prateleira do esquecimento e só mais tarde, quando fazia teatro no Sá da Bandeira, é que me desafiaram a escrever um livro com as minhas histórias vividas em Angola.
Curiosamente, nunca utiliza as palavras “Guerra do Ultramar” ou “terroristas”…
Exatamente. Escrevo sempre “Guerra Colonial” e “guerrilheiros”. No final da II Guerra Mundial a ONU aconselhou os seus países-membros que tinham colónias, como Portugal, França, Holanda, Inglaterra, a darem independência aos povos colonizados, mas a independência não se dá a ninguém. É preciso lutar por ela.
Nessa altura, Salazar disse que Portugal não tinha colónias, tinha províncias ultramarinas desde o Minho a Timor. Essa esperteza saloia fez eclodir os movimentos independentistas africanos, que tiveram que lutar contra os colonizadores.
A Guerra Colonial foi injusta, roubou muitos filhos a pais, muitos pais a filhos e trouxe muita morte.
Olhando para trás, a Guerra Colonial continua a não fazer sentido?
Essa e todas as outras guerras fazem cada vez menos sentido. Julgo que os responsáveis pelos destinos dos países, os líderes políticos, devem ter capacidade de diálogo para resolver conflitos e evitar a todo o custo a luta armada. Matar homens é medieval.
Nas apresentações do livro tem afirmado que existem poucas obras sobre a Guerra Colonial…
Sim, e tive logo resposta [risos]. Há um site que tem uma lista de autores de livros sobre a Guerra Colonial. Contabilizei mais de 900 títulos, mas a maioria deles não são editados por editoras, apenas pelos autores. São livros distribuídos localmente e que ficam, na maioria dos casos, para os amigos.
Vê interesse histórico no seu livro?
Obviamente que sim. Em contacto com a juventude fico a perceber que ninguém sabe o que foi a Guerra Colonial e isso preocupa-me muito. Se um português não quer saber da Guerra Colonial é porque não quer saber da sua história nem do seu país.
O livro está a ser apresentado em vários locais. Quando será apresentado aos gondomarenses?
Está apalavrada uma apresentação pública do livro no Clube Gondomarense. A data ainda não está definida mas julgo que será em janeiro ou fevereiro.
54045 620530Overall, politicians are split on the concern of whether Twitter is much more for business or private use. The first thing will be the fact that you can build up quite a large following of men and women. 541440
It’s great that you are getting ideas from this piece of writing as well
as from our discussion made at this place.
After checking out a few of the blog posts on your site, I seriously like your way of writing a blog.
I book-marked it to my bookmark webpage list and
will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site as well
and let me know your opinion.
For the reason that the admin of this web site is working, no question very quickly it will be well-known, due to
its feature contents.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through
Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
I will be grateful if you continue this in future.
Numerous people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Good day I am so excited I found your site, I really found
you by error, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just
like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also
love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but I have book-marked
it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will
be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic work.
Hi, I do think this is an excellent web site. I stumbledupon it
😉 I am going to come back yet again since I book-marked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be
rich and continue to guide other people.
Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs?
I have a blog based on the same ideas you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information.
I know my readers would appreciate your work. If you are even remotely interested,
feel free to send me an e mail.
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog
and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I will learn plenty of
new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it
but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
Spot on with this write-up, I really think this amazing site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be back again to
read more, thanks for the info!
I don’t even understand how I ended up here, however I thought
this submit used to be great. I don’t realize who you are however certainly you’re going to
a well-known blogger if you happen to aren’t already.
Cheers!
Ridiculous story there. What occurred after? Take care!
Hello terrific blog! Does running a blog similar to this require a
great deal of work? I’ve virtually no knowledge of programming
however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, should you have any
suggestions or techniques for new blog owners please
share. I understand this is off topic but I just needed to
ask. Cheers!
Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, nice
written and include approximately all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Good way of explaining, and pleasant post to obtain data
regarding my presentation focus, which i am going to present in school.
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest
authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same information you
discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would enjoy your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
Hello, every time i used to check blog posts here early in the morning,
as i love to learn more and more.
Normally I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to
take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me.
Thanks, quite nice post.
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this blog
and I am inspired! Very useful information specially
the ultimate phase 🙂 I take care of such info a lot.
I used to be looking for this particular info for a very long time.
Thanks and best of luck.
Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to
help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying
to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
good success. If you know of any please share. Cheers!
Currently it looks like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your
blog?
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming over again to read additional
news.
OMG! This is amazing. Ireally appreciate it~ May I speak out on a secret only I KNOW and
if you want to really findout? You really
have to believe mme and have faith and I will show how
to get connected to girls for free Once again I want to
show my appreciation and may all the blessing goes to you
now!.
Can I show my graceful appreciation and give my
value on really good stuff and if you want to have a checkout Let
me tell you a brief about how to get connected to girls for free I am always here for yall you know that right?
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article. I like
to write a little comment to support you.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your
sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road.
All the best
Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate
your efforts and I will be waiting for your further post thank you once again.
Thanks for finally talking about > Onofre Varela: “Comecei a
tropa com quatro dias de cadeia e acabei a receber três louvores” – Vivacidade < Loved it!
naturally like your web site however you need to test the
spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling
problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the
truth however I will certainly come again again.
Remarkable! Its in fact remarkable paragraph,
I have got much clear idea on the topic of from this article.
Link exchange is nothing else but it is simply placing the other person’s weblog
link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do similar for you.
Every weekend i used to go to see this web page, for the reason that i wish for enjoyment, since
this this website conations genuinely nice funny information too.
If some one desires to be updated with most recent technologies then he must be visit this web page and be up
to date all the time.
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading
it, you could be a great author. I will make sure to
bookmark your blog and definitely will come back very soon. I want to
encourage continue your great job, have a nice afternoon!
Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this subject
for a while and yours is the greatest I’ve
came upon till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the source?
Thank you for the good writeup. It actually was once a enjoyment account it.
Look complicated to far delivered agreeable from you! However,
how can we be in contact?
Hello there, I discovered your site by way of
Google whilst looking for a similar topic, your website got here up,
it appears to be like good. I have bookmarked it in my
google bookmarks.
Hello there, just was aware of your weblog
thru Google, and located that it’s truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
I will appreciate in the event you continue this in future.
A lot of folks will likely be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
You know what? This is some cool stuff that ive just noticed.
Keep it up man ~
It’s great that you are getting ideas from this article
as well as from our argument made at this time.
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a data!
existing here at this webpage, thanks admin of this site.
Undeniably consider that which you said. Your favourite reason appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to understand of.
I say to you, I definitely get annoyed whilst other people consider concerns that they just don’t recognise about.
You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the whole thing without having side effect
, folks could take a signal. Will probably be back
to get more. Thanks
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my younger sister
is analyzing these things, so I am going to tell her.
Thank you, I’ve recently been searching for info approximately this topic
for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now.
But, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain in regards to the supply?
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored
myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is
popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you
know any techniques to help stop content from being stolen? I’d definitely
appreciate it.
I pay a quick visit everyday some sites and sites to read content, however this website gives feature based articles.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on slot online. Regards
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article. I like to write a little comment
to support you.
I am not certain where you are getting your info, but
good topic. I must spend some time learning more or working out more.
Thanks for great info I was looking for this information for my
mission.
Keep on working, great job!
Hi to every body, it’s my first pay a visit of this blog; this
blog carries amazing and truly fine information in favor
of visitors.
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured
I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe
guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same
subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog
by the way!
209755 878439Hey, are you having issues with your hosting? I needed to refresh the page about million times to get the page to load. Just saying 277321
If you are going for finest contents like I
do, only pay a visit this website all the time as it offers quality contents, thanks
I think this is among the most significant information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on some general things, The website style is perfect, the articles is really nice
: D. Good job, cheers
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog.
An excellent read. I’ll certainly be back.
I have read so many content on the topic of the blogger lovers except this article is really a nice article,
keep it up.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to
“return the favor”.I am trying to find things to improve my web site!I suppose its ok to use
a few of your ideas!!
I’m not sure exactly why but this blog is loading extremely slow for me.
Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting!
I certainly enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.
I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back very soon. I want
to encourage one to continue your great work, have a nice morning!
Howdy, i read your blog occasionally and i own a
similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can suggest?
I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is very much appreciated.
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be
happy. I’ve read this publish and if I could I wish to recommend
you few attention-grabbing things or tips. Maybe you can write subsequent articles relating to this
article. I want to learn more things about it!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was once a
enjoyment account it. Glance advanced to far introduced agreeable from you!
By the way, how can we keep up a correspondence?
For most recent news you have to go to see internet and on world-wide-web I found this site
as a best web page for newest updates.
Pretty element of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog
and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved account your blog posts.
Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds or even I success you get right of entry to persistently quickly.
Can I simply just say what a relief to uncover somebody who really understands what they’re talking about online.
You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and
make it important. A lot more people really need to check this out and understand this side of
the story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular given that you surely possess the gift.
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you have been using?
I’m having some small security problems with my latest website and
I would like to find something more secure. Do you have any
recommendations?