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. […]

Appointed: Joana Pimenta director of the Film Study Center – Harvard University

21 May 2020

Portuguese filmmaker, Joana Pimenta, has been appointed interim director of the Film Study Center at Harvard University, effective July 1, the institution announced. She will be acting director until the new permanent director is appointed, a position held since 2002 by Lucien Casting-Taylor, said the announcement. Joana Pimenta, who has been associated with Harvard University […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Community, Education, Featured, Film, Portugal, World

Going virtual: Portuguese American writers celebrating freedom – UMass Dartmouth

20 May 2020

In celebration of Frank Gaspar’s new book, The Poems of Renata Ferreira, the publication of the latest issue of No 32 Luso-American Literature and Culture Today and the 46th anniversary of the Portuguese Carnation Revolution, a ground-breaking global virtual literary reading was held on Saturday, April 25th, 2020.  Organized by Professor Christopher Larkosh and sponsored […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Community, Featured, Heritage, People, World

Basta! Foreign waste and rubbish disposal banned – Portugal

20 May 2020

By Len Port In contrast to enthusiastically encouraging conditions that attract the return of foreign holidaymakers, the Portuguese Government is banning the importation of all plastic waste and other rubbish. Portugal has been an attractive dumping ground for huge amounts of waste because of the low fees charged for disposals in landfill sites here. Waste […]

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Posted in Featured, Heritage, Portugal, World

Travel: TAP Air Portugal badly hit struggles to survive – Portugal

19 May 2020

Portugal’s Prime Minister, António Costa, and the Minister of Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, have admitted the possibility of nationalizing TAP Air Portugal, the national flag carrier, badly hit by the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. “We cannot exclude the need to nationalize TAP or other companies that are absolutely essential for the country. We cannot […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, Madeira, Organizations, People, Portugal, Travel, World

May 5th: World Portuguese Language Day celebrated by many countries – Portugal

05 May 2020

The Lusophone world is celebrating May 5th as the international day of the Portuguese language and culture.  Previously celebrated as “Portuguese Language Day” for the first time May 5th is celebrated as the “World Portuguese Language Day” by UNESCO. The ceremony, which took place in Paris, France, was acknowledged in about five dozen countries. Portugal […]

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Posted in Community, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Portugal, World

COVID’19: Cautiously lifting lockdowns – Portugal

03 May 2020

By Len Port It’s looking like a positive turning point for Portugal in the coronavirus trauma. From this Monday, the Portuguese authorities will be closely monitoring the lifting of some emergency lockdowns with a view to extending them if all goes well.  The government’s cautious plan for an economic recovery is starting with small shops […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Heritage, Madeira, Organizations, People, Portugal