VIANA DO CASTELO, JEWEL OF THE ATLANTIC PRESENTED AT AP DONA ANINHAS

On 17 November, around 100 guests attended the presentation of the book Viana do Castelo – Joia do Atlântico, by Cristina Batista, published by Guerra e Paz, an initiative of the AP Hotels & Resorts group.
The event was attended by the main authorities in the city of Viana do Castelo, especially the mayor, Luís Nobre, as well as the former Minister of Culture, João Barroso Soares, who presented the book.
Welcoming remarks were made by the hotel’s director, Ricardo Santos, on behalf of the chairman of the Madre group, António Parente.
On the occasion, Ricardo Santos said that the book was “a gift to the community” and the AP Hotels & Resorts group’s commitment to the cultural development of the region.
“The author, Cristina Batista, transports us through the pages of the book to emblematic places, telling stories that celebrate the richness of our land,” he added.
Luís Nobre, mayor of Viana do Castelo, highlighted António Parente’s role as someone who “dreams and makes it happen”, both in a “physical manifestation, by taking a derelict and decrepit building and transforming it into a hotel that brings life to the city’s historic centre”, and in producing a book that is “an important contribution to the region’s culture.”
João Barroso Soares, in his presentation, emphasised the quality of the book, combined with the city of Viana do Castelo, “one of Portugal’s most beautiful cities”.
He recalled his father Mário Soares’ passion for the city and, in relation to the book, summarised: “I really enjoyed reading it and I really like having it.”
The event ended with dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, AP Dona Aninhas, accompanied by excellent music from local musicians, especially the Viana d’Arcos quartet.