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. […]

You Vote! Azores nominated for ‘Europe’s Leading Inland Destination 2016’ – WTA

19 May 2016

The Azores have been nominated for “Europe’s Leading Island Destination 2016’ by the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA), regarded as the “Tourism Oscar”. The Azores are competing with Madeira named ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination’ in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The winners are determined by an online vote cast by hundreds of travel professionals and consumers […]

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

Book: ‘Fado and the Urban Poor in Portuguese Cinema of the 1930s and 1940s’ – Editor’s Note

19 May 2016

Colvin studies the evolution of Fado music as the soundtrack to the Portuguese talkie. He analyzes the most successful Portuguese films of the first two decades of the Estado Novo era to understand how directors used the “national song” to promote the values of the young Regime regarding the poor inhabitants of Lisbon’s popular neighborhoods. […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, Film, Heritage, Music, Portugal

Book: ‘The 500 Hidden Secrets of Lisbon’ – Editor’s Note

18 May 2016

An insider’s guide to Lisbon and its hidden secrets and addresses; An inspirational and practical guide to Lisbon’s finest and most interesting places, buildings, restaurants, shops, museums, galleries, neighborhoods, gardens and cafes; A new edition in Luster’s successful and attractive series of city guides; Photography by Manuel Gomes da Costa. Where are the 5 best […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, Food & Wine, Life Style, Portugal, Travel

The Week: Brexit troubling times for traders… – By Len Port

15 May 2016

By Len Port, Contributor (*) The ‘debate’ over next month’s referendum on whether Britain should stay in or leave the European Union heated up so much this week that it is starting to look like civil war. It seems to be tearing apart the British Tory government and indeed the whole country. A wider worry […]

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Posted in Politics, Portugal, World

May 16th: Day of the Azores celebrates 40 years of self-rule – Azores

14 May 2016

On Monday, May 16, the Azorean people will celebrate the – ‘Day of the Azores’ – a public holiday established in 1980, dedicated  to honor Azorean self-rule as granted in the Portuguese Constitution of 1976, following the Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974. Designated ‘Dia da Região Autónoma dos Açores’ (Day of the Autonomous Region […]

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

Approved: Parliament expands reproductive rights – Portugal

13 May 2016

Portuguese Parliament has expanded reproductive rights to gay women by approving their access to artificial insemination. The measure voted Friday was restricted to married heterosexual couples and couples living in domestic partnerships for over two years. The legal changes also recognize surrogacy for women with health problems seeking pregnancy. Both measures will be effective within […]

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