The National Library of Portugal awarded the Branco Rodrigues Prize to Rui Pedro Jacinto, who is developing a PhD project with the IHC, for the work “Alcácer do Sal e as relações com o Sado no primeiro quartel do século XX: continuidade ou rutura?” [Alcácer do Sal and the relations with the Sado in the first quarter of the 20th century: continuity or rupture?].

The awarded paper was presented at the 12th Meeting of History of the Alentejo Litoral, in 2019, and later published, in 2021, in the respective proceedings, “O Mar de Onde Saem Todas As Águas“, edited by GESTO – Grupo de Estudo do Território de Odemira. Rui Pedro Jacinto has a degree in History and a master’s degree in Contemporary History from the NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities. His PhD project is focused on the society and economy of south-west Alentejo in the 20th century.

The Branco Rodrigues Prize was established in 1976 by the Pro-Fiftieth Anniversary Commission of the Death of Branco Rodrigues and aims to “stimulate, among the visually impaired, the interest in scientific and literary activity, distinguishing the author of the best work published in each triennium”. It honours José Cândido Branco Rodrigues (1861-1926), a pioneer in establishing the foundations of education for the blind in Portugal, enabling their schooling, professionalisation, and social inclusion.

The public session to award the Branco Rodrigues Prize, in its 13th edition, will take place in the Auditorium of the National Library of Portugal, on 19 October, at 3PM.