Portuguese American Journal

Portuguese American Journal

Featured Stories
Community | Camões Institute promotes Portuguese language teaching Honor | President José Bolieiro awarded the Peter Benchley Ocean Award Book | Representing the Middle Ages in Modern Portugal (1890–1947) | By Pedro Martins Update | New deadly storm threatens the country nationwide Community | Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt wins Grammy Award
 

Community | Camões Institute promotes Portuguese language teaching – California

On February 3, 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Camões — Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P. and the California Department of Education (CDE) during a ceremony held at the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, located on the 5th floor of 1430 N Street in Sacramento, California. The Consul […]

Honor | President José Bolieiro awarded the Peter Benchley Ocean Award – Monterey, CA

José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, has been honored with the prestigious Peter Benchley Ocean Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to ocean conservation, sustainable marine governance, and the protection of Atlantic ecosystems. Bolieiro is scheduled to formally accept the distinction, often referred to as the “Oscars of the Ocean,” […]

Book | Representing the Middle Ages in Modern Portugal (1890–1947) | By Pedro Martins – Editor’s Note

What role did the Middle Ages play in the construction of Portuguese national identity in the modern age? Which medieval ideas, themes, objects, buildings, events, and figures contributed to this process? How did Portuguese intellectuals, artists, and politicians from the late-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century narrate, rework, and commemorate them? These are some of […]

Update | New deadly storm threatens the country nationwide – Portugal

As Portugal recovers from widespread devastation caused by Storm Kristin, authorities warn that a new severe storm system is expected to affect large portions of the country this week, significantly increasing the risk of renewed flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) expects the new storm, named […]

Community | Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt wins Grammy Award – Los Angeles, CA

Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt was among the winners at this year’s Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, marking another major milestone in his celebrated international career.  He won the Grammy in the category of Best Rock Performance for his participation in ‘Changes (Live from Villa Park)’. The show took place in Birmingham, UK, in 2025, at […]

Storm Kristin | Pope Leo XIV sends message of solidarity to Portuguese victims – Vatican 

30 January 2026

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his “deep sorrow” and spiritual closeness to the people of Portugal following the devastation caused by Storm Kristin, which struck several regions of the country in recent days, causing widespread destruction, especially in the Central regions, including Leiria and Coimbra.  In a telegram addressed to D. José Ornelas, President of […]

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Posted in Featured, People, Portugal, World

Community | Competition ‘I Love Azores’ open to young Azorean descendants – Azores

30 January 2026

The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for Communities, and SATA/Azores Airlines are launching, in partnership, the “I Love Azores” competition—an initiative designed to strengthen cultural and emotional ties between young Azorean descendants living in North America and the Autonomous Region of the Azores. The competition is part of the […]

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Posted in Azores, Community, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, Travel, World

Storm Kristin | Central country region devastated by widespread damage – Portugal

29 January 2026

One of the most powerful winter storms to hit Portugal in recent years, storm Kristin, caused severe destruction across central regions of the country, resulting in multiple fatalities, widespread power outages, and extensive damage to infrastructure.  Thousands of emergency incidents were reported nationwide. According to official sources, the storm caused at least five to six […]

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Posted in Featured, Portugal, Uncategorized, World

In Memoriam | Filmmaker João Canijo, 68, leaves a remarkable legacy – Portugal 

29 January 2026

Portuguese cinema is mourning the death of filmmaker João Canijo (1957-2026),  one of the most influential and uncompromising voices in contemporary Portuguese film. Throughout his career, he collaborated closely with actors and writers to develop a unique narrative universe centered on family dynamics, social tensions, and the complexities of power and identity. Renowned for his […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Featured, Film, Heritage, People, Portugal, World

UPDATE | Presidential election heads to runoff as diaspora voters decry voting barriers – Portugal

19 January 2026

Portugal’s presidential election, held on January 18, concluded without a decisive winner, sending the country to a runoff election on February 8, 2026, following one of the most polarized presidential contests since the return of democracy.  According to the official provisional results, the socialist left-center candidate, António José Seguro, led the first round with 31.1% […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Organizations, People, Politics, Portugal, Uncategorized, World

Elections’26 | One of the most presidential contests in decades – Portugal

16 January 2026

Portugal will hold its next presidential election on  Sunday, January 18, 2026, with a possible runoff scheduled for February 8, 2026, if no candidate secures a majority. In what analysts describe as one of the most unpredictable presidential contests in decades, the presidential election is expected to be closely watched both domestically and internationally as […]

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Posted in Azores, Featured, Madeira, Politics, Portugal, World