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. […]

National icon | Francisco Pinto Balsemão dies at age 88 – Portugal

22 October 2025

Portugal and the international community are mourning the passing of Francisco Pinto Balsemão, former Prime Minister of Portugal and founder of the Expresso newspaper and Impresa media group, who died on October 21, 2025, at the age of 88. His death marks the end of a remarkable career that bridged politics, journalism, and business, leaving […]

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Posted in Featured, People, Portugal, World

Community | International Colloquium on Portuguese Migration and Mill Work in New England – UMassD

21 October 2025

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth will host an international colloquium titled “Portuguese Migration and Mill Work in New England: Past, Present, and Future of Portuguese American Studies” on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 in the Claire T. Carney Library Grand Reading Room.  This two-day event will assess the contributions of the recently published volume Migration […]

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Posted in Books, Community, Conferences, Education, Featured, World

Politics | Controversial bill banning face covering in public approved – Portugal

21 October 2025

Portugal’s Parliament has approved a controversial bill that would ban face coverings in most public spaces, marking a heated moment in the country’s political and social discourse. The measure awaits President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s decision, who may sign it into law, veto it, or refer it to the Constitutional Court for review. The President […]

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Posted in Featured, Politics, Portugal, Religion, World

PDL26 | Ponta Delgada Portuguese Capital of Culture 2026 – Azores

20 October 2025

The city of Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, is preparing to take center stage in 2026 as ‘Portuguese Capital of Culture,’ a milestone that celebrates the archipelago’s creativity, resilience, and Atlantic identity — while continuing its greater goal towards becoming the European Capital of Culture 2027. For now, during a signing ceremony held at the […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Portugal, São Miguel, World

Community | Carminho returns for a Fado concert touring – United States 

20 October 2025

By David Mendonça, Contributor (*) -nominated Portuguese fado singer Carminho is currently touring the U.S. in support of her latest recording, “Eu Vou Morrer de Amor ou Resistir” (I will die from love or I’ll resist). Carminho’s new album is already recognized as a landmark contribution to fado music. Like the best of this music, […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Entertainment, Featured, Music, Portugal, Uncategorized, World

Book | Translating from the Portuguese: A Life Translated | By Elizabeth Lowe – Editor’s Note

20 October 2025

Elizabeth Lowe charts her journey to becoming a translator through a series of vignettes relating her life as a “third-culture kid” and living and working abroad in a kaleidoscope of cultures and languages. She lived in Germany as a young child immediately after the Second World War while her father worked in the Nuremburg trials […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, People, Portugal, World