Portugal Week and the community that experienced it have proven, once again, the indescribable strength of our people in Canada. The closing of the festivities leaves a feeling of deep pride. When all is said and done, our cultural identity remains alive, enthusiastic, and united so many kilometres away from Portugal.

The great engine behind this collective success was, without a shadow of a doubt, ACAPO. In the person of José Eustáquio, I want to extend to the organization my most sincere congratulations on the professionalism demonstrated, the excellent organization, and the spectacular result.

Organizing an event of this importance and with this impact requires courage, resilience, and a unique ability to bring people together. ACAPO knew how to read the pulse of the community and united generations on the streets of Toronto. The parade was the perfect mirror of who we are: a people with a past but firmly focused on the future.

Seeing our traditions preserved and celebrated here in Toronto is a clear testament to vitality. We are not just immigrants who integrated into Canada’s multiculturalism; we are more than that: we are dynamic agents of culture, of associationism, of citizenship, and, above all, ambassadors of our Portuguese language.

The impact of these celebrations goes beyond folklore and popular festivals, as there is a civic and political dimension that cannot be ignored by the most meticulous observers of the Luso-Canadian reality. By bringing Canadian political figures and Portuguese diplomats into the heart of our festival, our association leadership asserts the institutional weight of our community. This dynamism serves as a lesson for Portugal itself.

Our diaspora is not on a distant planet (or at least it shouldn’t be) but is rather a strategic pillar of portugalidade[Portuguese identity] itself. When ACAPO raises the organizational bar to such high levels, it is enhancing our country’s brand abroad, demonstrating the best of what we know how to do with great rigor, dignity, and a lot of sweat. Permit me to consider that the secret to this year’s success lay in inclusion. We look around and cannot help but see, among so many red shirts, the young faces of those wearing them, proudly embracing the roots of their parents and grandparents. It is in this generational transition that the future of our presence in Canada and of Portuguese people in the world is played out. If we do not know how to motivate the youth, our associational movement runs the risk of stagnating and even disappearing. Fortunately, the path laid out points in the opposite direction, demonstrating a renewed vitality.

The final balance leaves no room for doubt. Portugal Week was a resounding success. To ACAPO and to all the anonymous volunteers who gave up their time for the sake of the collective, I leave my deepest gratitude. You demonstrated that when we work with a clear purpose and in unity, the voice of Portugal has an unbeatable and distinct strength. May this example of dynamism serve as inspiration for the daily challenges our community faces in its everyday life.

Long live Portugal, and congratulations to our vibrant community in Canada!

Go, ACAPO!

Vítor Silva/MS

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In the brief intervals of its inertia, the Government has treated us to proposals that force society to think about the direction it wants to follow. From an outdated labor package that promised to discourage innovation and work-life balance, to the Single Social Benefit (Prestação Social Única), its inhumane work obligation for families with cancer patients, and the neighbor-on-neighbor snitching channel, this will be one of the most ideological Governments since the PREC*. Unfortunately, to ideology, incompetence is added.

There is no greater evidence of this than in the National Health Service (SNS). The Minister, who has already gone through 3 executive directors of the SNS and 4 Presidents of the INEM [National Medical Emergency Institute], has replaced technical managers almost entirely with former mayors and MPs from the PSD [Social Democratic Party]. The financial disaster is plain to see – the UTAO [Technical Budget Support Unit] revealed that the net results of public companies in the sector, which include all Local Health Units (ULS), worsened in 2025 by nearly 800 million euros. Meanwhile, the non-health sector saw its results worsen by only 5 million. This comes after 2024 had already seen the financial situation of the ULS deteriorate.

In a huge favor to the human resources of private health groups, the results of the placement competition for doctors in the SNS have remained unknown for 6 months. In other words, there are newly specialized doctors, freshly trained at a great cost to themselves and to all of us, finding themselves forced to choose between continuing to work as residents (internos) or leaving for the private sector. Added to this, the Government once again did not authorize the opening of vacancies that were verifiably needed in health units, forcing them to resort to temporary contract workers (tarefeiros) to meet essential care needs.

A similar situation is being experienced in various parts of the State just mere weeks away from the end of the PRR [Recovery and Resilience Plan]. Let us not speak, for now, of the important investments that were programmed and abandoned, currently sitting in a no-man’s-land without funding guarantees. Let us also not speak of the repayment requests that businesses, municipalities, and IPSS [Private Institutions of Social Solidarity] are beginning to receive for failing to complete their projects. Let us leave aside, for now, any predictions regarding the unprincipled distribution that the BPF [Banco Português de Fomento] is making of the capital it received.

Let us speak instead of the roughly 1,300 employees, hired under this instrument, whose contract with the Public Administration is about to end. In some cases, their roles cease to exist, but in others, the PRR allowed for the hiring of technicians where they were needed and the launching of projects that are now important to continue. At the end of March, the Minister of Finance had still not decided what to do with these workers. This week, a bill by the PS [Socialist Party] is being debated in Parliament to create competitions to grant permanent positions for vacancies that correspond to permanent needs, valuing those who have already performed these duties in recent years.

We need an intelligent and agile State, even if a discreet one, working with businesses to draft and execute a strategy for the Portuguese economy. But we cannot help but be concerned about the “storefront”: citizen customer service. SÁBADOmagazine revealed the collapse of the citizen card (cartão de cidadão) renewal services, in what is just a snapshot of a State crumbling to pieces. Two years ago, the Government approved a Council of Ministers Resolution that demanded, within 6 months, an assessment of staffing shortages and necessary facility improvements. The results are still unknown, having been formally requested by the PS.

This state of the State cannot, however, surprise those who are attentive. It has been decades of thinning out the civil service, not only due to a lack of money, but in the name of some liberal obsession or moralizing diet. What has likely escaped almost everyone is that, since October 2023, all public managers appointed in the meantime are without a management contract. These instruments, which define objectives, strategies, and procedures, are the bare minimum indispensable for good management. They are also required by law, under Article 18 of Decree-Law no. 71/2007, which stipulates that an appointment is null and void if a management contract is not approved within 3 months. Due to mere government incompetence, the management teams appointed by this Government, as well as the decisions they have made, could therefore be at risk.

I do not know if all of this is incapacity, ignorance, or bad faith. It annoys me that we have to waste time studying the basics instead of discussing the future. A State that fails at the basics is not just an administrative problem. It is a broken promise to families who need care, to businesses awaiting support, to young people who want to work in public service, and to citizens who are only asking for a card to be renewed on time. We can argue about the size of the State. We can argue about its role in the economy and in society. But before that, there is a simpler demand: that the State works when it is called upon. Today, far too often, it fails. And that should be everyone’s concern.

*Translator’s Note: PREC (Processo Revolucionário em Curso) refers to the turbulent “Ongoing Revolutionary Process” in Portugal following the 1974 Carnation Revolution, characterized by heavy political instability and ideological polarization.

Miguel Costa Matos/MS

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The Portuguese community in Australia, whose origins date back primarily to the second half of the 20th century with the arrival of successive migration waves mostly from Madeira, stands out today for the high level of integration achieved in Oceania’s island-continent, which is widely recognized as one of the most multicultural societies in the world. Among the first settlement hubs, the port city of Fremantle in Western Australia took on particular significance, serving as the gateway for many immigrants seeking new opportunities in a country then defined by robust economic growth.

Although official data points to a community of around 55,000 Portuguese and Luso-descendants, their influence goes far beyond statistical numbers. Distributed across cities such as Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, the Luso-Australian diaspora maintains an active network of associations, clubs, and cultural institutions that ensure the transmission of the language, traditions, and cultural heritage to newer generations.

In this effort to value Portuguese cultural heritage and assert the diaspora’s contribution to Australian society, the journey of Sílvia Renda has stood out. She is one of the most influential Luso-Australian personalities today and the first Portuguese woman to join the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria.

Born in Delães, in the municipality of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Sílvia Renda emigrated to Australia in the early 1990s as a teenager. Since then, she has built a professional and civic path of remarkable merit, marked by a deep connection to the Portuguese community and the defense of multicultural values.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies and a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, she is a certified mediator and currently serves as Senior Advisor and Head of Government Relations at the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). With over two decades of experience in the areas of financial dispute resolution, institutional strategy, and public policy, she plays a key role in the articulation between that entity and the Australian Federal Government.

Parallel to her professional activity, she has developed a far-reaching civic intervention. In 2018, she was appointed Multicultural Commissioner for the State of Victoria, representing the Multicultural Commission before government authorities and various ethnic communities.

That same year, she was at the genesis of the Portuguese Women’s Association in Australia, an organization she chairs and which has established itself as an important platform for the support, empowerment, and promotion of female leadership among Portuguese-speaking women.

Her dedication to the Luso-Australian community also found expression in the Council of Portuguese Communities. Between 2015 and 2023, she led the Regional Council for Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the representation of Portuguese emigrants and reinforcing the dialogue between the communities of Oceania and the Portuguese State.

In 2025, she was also appointed Counselor of Portugal in the World (Conselheira de Portugal no Mundo) by the Portuguese Diaspora Council, joining a network of reference personalities committed to strengthening the links between Portugal and its communities spread across the world.

The recognition of her journey reached a new milestone when she became the first Portuguese woman elected to the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV), the main peak body linking the state government with various multicultural and multifaith communities. Serving as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the 2025–2027 biennium, she has contributed to the promotion of policies for inclusion, social cohesion, and civic participation. Her work was also honored with the Victoria Multicultural Excellence Award.

Sílvia Renda – ©Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria

Recently, Sílvia Renda was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), one of the country’s most prestigious civilian honors, presented on the official occasion of King Charles III’s birthday honors. This distinction represents the recognition of decades of public service, community leadership, and the promotion of the values of cultural diversity.

More than an individual tribute, this honor also constitutes a symbolic recognition of the Portuguese community’s contribution to Australian society. Over several generations, the Portuguese have successfully established themselves as a hardworking, entrepreneurial, and fully integrated community, while simultaneously preserving their cultural and identity bonds.

As the Ambassador of Portugal in Canberra, Carla Saragoça, highlighted, Sílvia Renda represents “an outstanding example of leadership, community service, generosity, and deep pride in her Portuguese roots.” Her journey exemplarily demonstrates how the Portuguese diaspora continues to project Portugal’s name abroad through merit, civic participation, and professional excellence.

In an increasingly interconnected world, where immigrant communities play a growing role in bringing peoples and cultures closer together, the example of Sílvia Renda highlights the strategic importance of the Portuguese diaspora. Her path shows how it is possible to honor one’s origins, contribute to the development of the host country, and, simultaneously, strengthen the bonds that unite Portugal to its communities scattered across the four corners of the world.

Daniel Bastos/MS

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My dear friends, as you all know, the Day of Portugal festivities were celebrated last weekend. We, as immigrants living far from the little corner of the world where we were born, end up experiencing this date in a very different way than those who remain in Portugal. While many over there take advantage of the holiday to rest or go to the beach, we make a point of celebrating our roots, our culture, and our identity. Distance has never managed to erase the pride of being Portuguese.

It was an intense weekend, full of activity. As with any major event, not everything was perfect, but the final balance is clearly positive. Still, this does not mean there are no aspects that can be improved. Giving an opinion or offering suggestions is not about devaluing the work of those who organized it; on the contrary, it is about contributing so that the future can be even better.

The parade returned to a scale that hadn’t been seen in many years. A large part of the credit goes to the participating clubs and associations, which gave their absolute best and demonstrated enormous pride in their traditions. Everyone is to be congratulated.

However, knowing that organization costs increase every year and that there is always difficulty in balancing the books, it might be useful to reflect on certain expenses. Often, the choice is made to bring in several artists from Portugal who end up putting on very similar shows to one another, when we have high-quality musicians, groups, and duos right here in our own community who are fully capable of entertaining the crowd and worthily representing Portuguese culture.

Proof of this was seen during the festivities, when local artists managed to engage and excite the public. Investing more in the talent within our own community would reduce travel, accommodation, and logistical costs without compromising the quality of the event, while simultaneously valuing those who work alongside the Portuguese community all year round.

Naturally, it is only fair to recognize the enormous effort made by the organization. It takes many hours of dedication and hard work to provide a weekend of this magnitude, and everyone who collaborated deserves a word of thanks and recognition.

Regarding the parade, I really liked the final result, but there are small details that could elevate its quality even further. It would be interesting to encourage greater uniformity among the folklore groups, avoiding, whenever possible, elements that take away from the authenticity of the representations—such as inappropriate footwear or accessories that are not part of the traditional attire.

I also believe that the parade floats could do an even better job of representing the different regions of Portugal, reinforcing the cultural character of the parade and making it visually richer.

Another suggestion relates to the presence of sponsors. Their support is indispensable and deserves full prominence and recognition. Perhaps, instead of including commercial vehicles in the parade itself, a different way of honoring them could be created. For instance, floats could be built referencing the regions where the business owners are from—or the owners could build a float themselves—where the company’s identification would then be displayed. In this way, they would continue to be valued while simultaneously contributing to further enriching the cultural spirit of the parade.

These are just ideas and opinions from someone who loves these celebrations and wishes to see them grow from year to year.

May our Portugalidade [Portuguese identity] remain alive for many generations to come. May Portugal Week continue to unite the community, and may the parade never cease to be one of its most defining moments. Perhaps with a more balanced management of resources, it will be possible to invest even more in what sets us apart and value the many talents that exist among us.

Because celebrating Portugal is, above all, celebrating our history, our culture, and the people who, far from their homeland, continue to keep our traditions very much alive. Long live Portugal! Long live Canada! Next year, God willing, we will be together once again to celebrate our roots.

Have a great weekend!

Augusto Bandeira/MS

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the photograph where I am in your lap is the most beautiful photograph I have, I like it when you are happy. — José Luís Peixoto, in “A Casa, a Escuridão

On June 21st, we will have yet another summer solstice, which offers us the longest day of the year, unlike the winter solstice, where the duration of the night is the longest of all. But it was not due to the coincidences of astronomy that, twenty-five years ago, this was the longest day for our nuclear family, but because all waitings go far beyond the precision of clocks.

That day, destined to be the date of your birth (as indeed it was), was a very long day for your mother, because it was made of the sum of many “short hours,”* as are all the hours wished upon someone going into labor.

“May you have a short hour!”—is the wish one makes, as if the simple act of saying it could counter the movement of minutes and seconds that are always the same. And the day remained long in the waiting of your mother, anxious to see you born, and of your father who, prevented from being present, made the pregnancy of time swell with the silence of the lack of news.

Your mother’s belly remained round, pregnant with you, because you stubbornly kept it at the maximum tension with which you had stretched the skin surrounding it. True to its etymology—solstice comes from the Latin sol+sistere, which means “sun standing still, not moving”—you also remained still, without moving, nestled in your mother’s womb, as if you wanted to prolong the day to its absolute limit.

Shortly before midnight, we celebrated your arrival, announced by a healthy cry, in the words of the doctors who declared you to be in robust health—a premonition that did not take long to be put to the test. Six months later, and during a week-long hospitalization, you would fight your first battle between the alpha and omega of an alphabet that defines the beginning and end of all things. You won it, relieving us of the fears to which all currents of love are subject.

They named you Rodrigo, of Germanic origin, which means “famous for glory.” I do not know to what extent the meaning influenced the choice, but for us, you became famous from the moment we could announce to everyone: he is born! And on that day, nothing was more important than being graced with the glory of your arrival.

However, we only met you on the twenty-second. First, from a distance, and only later during visiting hours. Your parents lived near the S. Bernardo Hospital in Setúbal, and it was from the balcony of the house that we could spot you from the window of the room where you were—the baby boy in his mother’s arms. That was the first image I had of you: framed in the white casing of a hospital window.

We were only authorized to visit you in the afternoon, and your older brother suffered the first setback of his life. Gift in hand, his passage was blocked because he was too young to be subjected to the environment of hospitals, where infections lurked around every corner. He would have few defenses, they argued.

I do not remember if he cried, but on the way back home, besides the gift with which he intended to surprise you, he carried an enormous disappointment that took three days to disappear. Only when your mother was allowed to bring you home could he give you the hug suspended by so much waiting.

Even today, despite the five years that separate you, the touching strength with which you so often hold each other in a hug remains the strongest image of the affection you feel for one another. And the mental photograph with which I always picture you.

Translator’s Note: “Ter uma hora pequena” (literally “to have a short/small hour”) is a traditional Portuguese expression used to wish a pregnant woman a quick and uncomplicated labor.

Aida Batista/MS

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