Today, on the 10th of June, Portugal is celebrating its National Day, also known as “Dia de Portugal” or “Portugal Day.”
This day is marked by a national holiday with various cultural celebrations and public events taking place worldwide in the Portuguese diaspora, including in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa.
On June 10th, Portugal also commemorates Luís de Camões, a renowned Portuguese poet, and author of “Os Lusíadas,” Portugal’s national epic, and honors the Portuguese communities abroad.
Starting June 9th, the official celebrations took place in Figueiró dos Vinhos, Pedrógão Grande, Castanheira de Pera, Coimbra, and on June 10th abroad in Geneva, Bern and Zurich, in Switzerland. Since 2016, the Day of Portugal has been officially celebrated in Portugal and in different locations, across the world.
On June 9th, the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, leaves for Coimbra for the celebrations of Luís de Camões’ 500th birthday where he visits the University of Coimbra to preside over the Evocative Ceremony.
On the morning of the following day, the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister leave for Switzerland to continue the celebrations of the Day of Portugal, Luís de Camões, and the Portuguese Communities of 2024.
This year, New Yor City is celebrating June 10th in Times Square with public events promoted by the group “O Valor do Tempo”, which include the participation of the Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy. The celebrations also include the “O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa” store – opened last year in the heart of Times Square, one of the most visited tourist attractions in the City. At the site, a work of art representing a tapestry measuring almost three meters high, entirely hand-embroidered in Arraiolos style, will be exhibited.
The Portuguese Government is represented in NYC by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado. The political representatives will also be joined by members of the Portuguese-American community.
Also in New York City, to honor June as Portuguese Heritage Month, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Lighting, will take place on June 22nd, at 6:00 pm, as part of the celebrations of Portugal Day. The public is invited to participate.
In Boston, MA, Dean of the Senate Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) and State Representative Antonio F. D. Cabral (D-New Bedford), co-chairmen of the Portuguese American Legislative Caucus (PALC), announced that the 40th annual Heritage Day of Portugal will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House in the House of Representatives Chamber.
In Providence, RI, June was officially declared as “Portuguese American Heritage Month” to honor the Portuguese heritage and the relevant contributions of Portuguese-Americans to the Ocean State. The motion, proposed by former R.I. Day of Portugal President Orlando Mateus, was sponsored by Sen. Jessica de la Cruz, and Rep. Thomas Noret, in their respective chambers. The ceremony was attended by various Rhode Island officials, the Consul of Portugal in Providence, community leaders, and members of the general public.
Google Doodle has also joined in the celebration by adding June 10th to its list of dates to commemorate.
In 2021, Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) introduced a resolution to the 117th Congress, supporting the designation of June as “Portuguese National Heritage Month.” The resolution, co-sponsored by Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), recognizes and celebrates the historic, cultural, and significant contributions Portuguese Americans have made to the United States.
Several Portuguese communities in the United States and Canada have already celebrated Portugal Day with great enthusiasm throughout June with major festivities and cultural events taking place from coast to coast. To participate consult the list of events of your community.
Carolina Matos/Editor
The Day of Portugal is a national holiday celebrated by the Portuguese nation every year on June 10. Officially designated ‘Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities’ [Dia de Portugal, de Camões e das Comunidades Portuguesas], the date also celebrates the life of Luís de Camões, Portugal poet laureate. He died on June 10th, 1580.
Camões is celebrated for having composed The Lusiads, Portugal’s national epic poem celebrating the country’s historic achievements. The poem is considered to be the most important piece of Portuguese literature and has become a symbol of national pride.
The celebrations involve various military ceremonies, exhibitions, concerts, pageants and parades, and an awards ceremony by the President of the Portuguese Republic. Each year, the President chooses a city to host the official celebrations.
Traditionally, the June 10th celebrations in Portugal and abroad, honor Portuguese heritage and culture through concerts, exhibitions, parades, theater plays, cinema screenings, documentaries, seminars, traditional fairs, and literature sessions. These initiatives also pay tribute to Portuguese artists and their contributions.
For the Portuguese people living abroad, Portugal Day is the time to display their heritage and ethnic pride. It is estimated that over 5 million Portuguese nationals live abroad, about 1.4 million living in the United States, with a large percentage coming from the Azores. Presently, there are sizable Portuguese American communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, California, and Hawaii.
In Canada, the month of June is celebrated as “Portuguese Heritage Month” to honor the heritage of half a million Luso-Canadians with many events showcasing the Portuguese rich history, language, and culture.
