Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
1976-2026 | Azores celebrate 50 Years of Constitutional Autonomy Book | Bag of Kisses | By Melanie Pereira April 25th |  “Dia da Liberdade” celebrated nationwide and across the diaspora Community | Justice Department moves to revoke citizenship for naturalized immigrants Honor | Writer João Pedro Vala recipient of the PEN/O. Henry Award
 

1976-2026 | Azores celebrate 50 Years of Constitutional Autonomy – Azores 

The Autonomous Region of the Azores is preparing for a historic year of celebrations in 2026 to mark the 50th anniversary of its Constitutional Autonomy. This milestone underscores five decades of self-governance, regional identity, and transatlantic connection.  The commemorations will culminate on September 8, 2026, marking the formal implementation of autonomy under the Constitution of […]

Book | Bag of Kisses | By Melanie Pereira – Editor’s Note

For a little girl whose daddy is a fisherman in the #1 fishing port in the world, goodbyes are never easy. But before he leaves for sea, her parents share a special secret―a magical bag of kisses that keeps their love close, no matter how far the waves carry him. As the days pass and […]

April 25th |  “Dia da Liberdade” celebrated nationwide and across the diaspora – Portugal

The Portuguese nation commemorates today the 52nd anniversary of the Carnation Revolution transition to democracy, with a nationwide program of official ceremonies, public demonstrations, and cultural events. The celebrations expanded abroad, connecting the country to its global diaspora, particularly in the United States. At the center of the national commemorations will be the traditional formal […]

Community | Justice Department moves to revoke citizenship for naturalized immigrants – Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Justice is moving to accelerate efforts to revoke the citizenship of certain naturalized Americans, targeting cases where individuals are suspected of having obtained citizenship through fraud or misrepresentation. Citizenship is considered one of the most secure legal statuses in the United States. Therefore, the overall impact of such measures is likely […]

Honor | Writer João Pedro Vala recipient of the PEN/O. Henry Award – New York, NY

Portuguese writer João Pedro Vala has been awarded a prestigious PEN/O. Henry Award for his short story “Inês,” a recognition widely regarded as one of the highest honors in English-language short fiction. The first Portuguese author to receive that distinction, his short story ‘Inês’ was selected for inclusion in the PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories anthology. […]

Crisis: Climate change worse than ever – By Len Port

06 September 2021

So far, it’s been a savage summer with deadly wildfires, storms, and flash floods around the world. Hundreds of wildfires in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey have been another reminder, as if one were needed, that the climate is changing. Forest fires accurately described as “unprecedented” have had socio-economic consequences in southern Europe as […]

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Posted in Featured, Heritage, Portugal, World

Music: Maria João Pires suffered a “bad fall” – Riga, Latvia

06 September 2021

Portuguese virtuoso pianist, Maria João Pires, 77, suffered a “bad fall” earlier on Sunday, in Riga, Latvia, and was taken to hospital. She was due to perform a recital as the closing concert of the Riga Jūrmala Festival that evening, at the Latvian National Opera. According to a Riga Jurmala Music Festival source, she was “getting […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Awards, Featured, Music, People, Portugal, World

Education: Summer School for Luso descendants -Tourism of Portugal

31 August 2021

  Between September 13th and 17th, Portuguese Tourism Schools of Hospitality will hold another edition of the “Summer School”, that will be, for the first time, aimed at Portuguese descendants.   Organized by Tourism of Portugal and its schools of Hospitality and Tourism, with the support of the Secretariat of State for Tourism and the […]

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Posted in Community, Education, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, Portugal, Travel

Book: ‘Wellington and the Lines of Torres Vedras’ by Mark S. Thompson – Editor’s Note

31 August 2021

In October 1810, the Third French invasion of Portugal under Maréchal Masséna arrived at the Lines of Torres Vedras and his triumphal march into Lisbon came to an abrupt halt. Five months later a thoroughly demoralized and defeated French army retreated from Portugal and never returned. The Lines played a vital role in enabling the […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal, World

Education: More foreign students find Portuguese universities attractive – Portugal

29 August 2021

The number of applications by foreign students to Portuguese institutions of higher education, rose 26% to more than 7,600, due to the increasing interest of international students, who look to Portugal as an attractive destination to study. “Portugal had an exceptional growth in the number of students in recent years, in 2019 it grew 24%, […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Madeira, Portugal, World

Travel: Azores added to “green list” for international travel – United Kingdom

27 August 2021

The United Kingdom decided to add the Azores, on its “green list” for international travel, acknowledging the positive evolution of the fight against COVID’19 in the archipelago. The British decision was communicated by letter to the President of the Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Portugal, Christopher Sainty. Effective […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Corvo, Faial, Featured, Flores, Graciosa, Heritage, Madeira, Pico, Porto Santo, Portugal, Santa Maria, São Jorge, São Miguel, Terceira, World