António Russinho

Born in Castelo Branco, António Russinho moved to Lisbon to study, the city where he completed his academic training.

At the same time, he created with Norberto Correia, the "Grei Lusitana" which gathered colleagues from several Faculties, and where they developed a program of cultural activities. Back in Castelo Branco he founded the "Círculo de Educação e Cultura" and dedicated himself to teaching.

In 1952 he gave birth to the Concerts Society "Pró Arte" which, throughout thirty years, performed more than 150 concerts. In 1982 he was seconded to the Regional Conservatory of Castelo Branco. Journalism was also an activity present in his career: he founded and directed several local newspapers aimed at young people and with their collaboration.

In 1982 he was granted the Castelo Branco City Medal and, in 1986, in a public ceremony commemorating the World Music Day in the City Hall, he was awarded the Medal of Cultural Merit by the State Culture Secretary. As a plastic artist, he made some individual exhibitions and participated in various collective exhibitions, being represented in numerous national and foreign collections.

He died in the 90s of the 20th century. António Russinho has today, in Quinta Pires Marques, a street named after him.