Books Of Brilliant Things

Thank you for the voice, the eyes and the memories shine
Thank you for the pictures of living in the beautiful black and the white
Some say we'll be together for a very long time
Some say that our first impressions never will lie

 ~ ‘Book Of Brilliant Things’, Jim Kerr & Simple Minds

Of this song Jim wrote:  “Books are revered all over the world and of course for many people certain books are sacrosanct. Books allow people to think for themselves, allowing access to knowledge forgotten or out of favour with the times. Books, as with recorded music, travel over time and distance greater than the author could ever accomplish in person. Dictators have throughout time understood how important it was to control knowledge – to control a nation! Books were burned and banned as a result. My father’s experience as a simple man who educated himself to the highest level, inspired me to write that song.”

We visited The Mateus Palacio today. An hour plus drive to Vila Real.
This photo depicts one section, of one of three walls, that altogether contain over 6,000 books of interest from around the world. In the extras is a book of particular interest to me. It is by the poet Luis de Camoes, and is of even more interest to the people of Portugal. It is Os Lusiadas, about the 15th century Portuguese explorations, and it became a National Poem of history, achievements and pride. This copy is one of 210 copies that an Earl in the 1800s had ordered to be made for friends. 

Because of this poem, Portugal celebrates one of their most important days of the year.  “Day of Portugal, Camoes, and the Portuguese Communities and Emigrants” around the world. We do not know when he was born, but the celebration is marked on the anniversary of his death, June 10, 1580. 

My birthday.