The sculpture “Angel Wings” was inaugurated last Friday near Porto do Boqueirão, a work created by sculptor Carlos Oliveira as part of an initiative by the Municipality of Corvo.
The piece pays tribute to the memory of the 17 victims of the sinking of the launch boat “Senhora da Vitória” (known as “Francesa”), which occurred on August 13, 1942, when a group of residents from Flores Island were traveling to Corvo to participate in the festival honoring the patron saint Nossa Senhora dos Milagres.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the artist Carlos Oliveira, as well as Isaac Silveira, a descendant of one of the victims, who carried out the historical research into the tragic event.
During a second moment of the event, held in the churchyard of the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres, a documentary video was shown presenting the process behind the creation of the sculpture, as well as its transportation and installation on Corvo Island, allowing the public to follow the different stages of this symbolic tribute.
The work aims to preserve the memory of the victims and reinforce the importance of safeguarding collective history, in a tribute marked by emotion and the appreciation of island identity.
The Municipality of Corvo thanked everyone who contributed to the realization of the sculpture, from its conception to its installation, as well as the community members present at the tribute.
As a gesture of remembrance and respect, the names of the shipwreck victims were also recalled, emphasizing the importance of keeping their history alive: António Cardoso de Freitas; António Jorge André de Freitas; José Caetano Cardoso Trindade (“Gangão”); Violante Cândida Greves; Lídia Inez Dias de Freitas; Aurora Inez de Freitas; Maria dos Anjos Freitas Luiz Henriques; Escilia Garcia Ramos; Maria Garcia Cardoso Ramos; Elvira Victoria Ramos; Tereza do Menino Jesus Serpa; Manuel Furtado da Silveira; José António Filipe; José Furtado de Sousa; Maria da Glória de Sousa; Ana Fagundes; José Inácio Luiz.
The sculpture “Angel Wings” now becomes part of Corvo’s symbolic heritage, serving as a place of remembrance, tribute, and reflection.
