On 16th August, the Alpedrinha Parish Council, located in the municipality of Fundão, celebrated a tribute to Manuel Proença, founder and chairman of the Hoti Hoteis Group, as a gesture of gratitude and recognition of his commitment to the local community.

Over the years, Manuel Proença, a native of Alpedrinha, has made a large-scale contribution to the development and requalification of the parish, highlighting his dedication, wisdom and community spirit, which have given rise to a deep respect and admiration on the part of the population.

The tribute ceremony began with the unveiling of the plaque inaugurating Rua Dr Manuel Proença, where his family home is located, which will soon give rise to a new social project. The event was also marked by the laying of the foundation stone for the Life Support Centre. The result of a partnership between the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Alpedrinha and the Centro Assistencial, Cultural e Formativo do Fundão (CACFF), it is aimed at pregnant mothers or those with children up to one year old who need support.

Additionally, Manuel Proença will now also give his name to an open-air amphitheater, a new cultural space designed to be a meeting and gathering place for the Alpedrinha community. These tributes ensure the perpetuation of the legacy of a figure of immense importance to the local history.

This was the setting for the ceremony, which brought together the honoured man himself and the town’s institutions. In their speeches, the President of the Alpedrinha Parish Assembly, João Freitas, and the Mayor of Fundão, Paulo Fernandes, emphasised Manuel Proença’s commitment and generosity to his homeland in various causes (social, religious, cultural or heritage), reflecting the inspirational figure he was for several generations.