As part of the commemorations, FLAD is launching Coast to Coast, a new book collection, which will debut at the Lajes International Conference taking place September 18–19 in Terceira, Azores.

The new Coast to Coast collection features paired essays, one from Portugal, one from the United States, on shared themes including the economy, diaspora, and the ocean. Each volume will be accompanied by public debates to deepen transatlantic dialogue.

At the Lajes International Conference, themed “Azores, From Ocean to Space”, one of the focuses will be on the diaspora, with the presentation of the first Coast to Coast volume. Contributors include acclaimed Portuguese-American novelist Katherine Vaz, whose works have brought international recognition to the Luso-American experience, and scholar Deolinda Adão, a leading academic in Portuguese Studies in California, whose research explores identity, gender, and representation in Luso-Brazilian literature.

“Coast to Coast is more than a collection—it is a conversation across generations and geographies,” remarked FLAD President Rita Faden. “By bringing together writers, thinkers, and researchers from Portugal and the United States, we are celebrating not only 40 years of FLAD, but also the vibrant cultural life of our communities on both sides of the Atlantic. By presenting this collection at the Lajes Conference, in the heart of the Azores, we honor the historic role of these islands as a bridge between continents,” she said.

The Coast to Coast launch adds a cultural dimension to a conference that also marks the 30th anniversary of the U.S.–Portugal Cooperation and Defense Agreement and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, underlining the Azores’ enduring role as a strategic and symbolic crossroads between Europe and America. 

The Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) was established on May 20, 1985, through the approval of Decree-Law No. 168/85 by the Portuguese government. Its creation was a direct outcome of the 1983 Cooperation and Defense Agreement between Portugal and the United States, which included provisions for military, economic, and energy support. One significant aspect of this agreement was the continued U.S. presence at the Lajes Air Base in the Azores.  FLAD acts as a transatlantic bridge, promoting academic exchange, scientific collaboration, cultural enrichment, and bilateral dialogue. It operates through grants, fellowships, programs, and large-scale projects, playing a pivotal role in promoting the Portugal-US relationship.

Source: FLAD @ www.flad.pt 

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PAJ/Staff