Portuguese president praises Portuguese for efforts during crisis

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised the Portuguese on Friday for their efforts during the country's financial crisis to mark Portugal Day.

Speaking at Lisbon's Terreiro de Paco square, the president said: "In a time of crisis, the Portuguese people understood the sacrifices and privations in favor of a more just and dignified future."

Additionally, during a ceremony to honor soldiers and pay homage to those killed during combat, he praised soldiers' "bravery and heroism" as well as the Portuguese emigrants who helped victims of the Paris terror attacks in November last year.

Rebelo de Sousa also explained why Terreiro de Paco square had been chosen for the celebrations on Friday morning.

"Our cosmopolitanism started here, our independence was lost and recovered and that is why our freedom is associated to it," he said.

Portugal Day, a national holiday, is celebrated to commemorate the death of the famous Portuguese poet Luis Vaz de Camoes in 1580.

The ceremony on Friday saw around 30 units and around 1,500 soldiers take part.

After the commemorations in Lisbon, Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa head to Paris to celebrate Portugal Day with the Portuguese community there and to award Portuguese emigrants who lent a hand during the terror attacks on Nov. 13, 2015. Endit