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. […]

Portugal | One of the most peaceful countries in the world  – Global Peace Index

18 June 2025

Portugal has once again reaffirmed its global reputation for safety and stability, securing the 7th position in the 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI), released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). The ranking evaluates 163 nations based on 23 indicators across the domains of societal safety, ongoing conflict, and militarization. Portugal ranks 5th in […]

Read the full story

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

MiratecArts | International Short Film Competition – Pico, Azores

18 June 2025

MiratecArts has launched an international competition to support short film productions on Pico Island, Azores is open to writers, directors, or producers who are Portuguese citizens living abroad or of Portuguese descent. The award “Prémio Curta Pico” for the Portuguese Communities Around the World, in its second edition, seeks proposals for short films (7–15 minutes) that […]

Read the full story

Posted in Arts&Culture, Awards, Azores, Community, Featured, Film, Heritage, Pico, World

Azores | International Expo 2025 Osaka Exhibition – Japan

17 June 2025

The Vice-President of the Regional Government presided over the opening ceremony of the exhibition “From Namban to Japonisme: the Arts of Japan in Azorean Collections” in Angra do Heroísmo on June 13, as part of the Azores’ participation in the Expo 2025 Osaka. The exhibition presents a historical overview from the first Portuguese-Japanese exchanges in […]

Read the full story

Posted in Arts&Culture, Azores, Featured, Heritage, Organizations, People, Terceira, World

FLAD 40th | Hosting Sister Cities Summit in Ponta Delgada – Azores

17 June 2025

As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) will host the FLAD Sister Cities Summit from June 25 to 27, 2025, in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The three-day event will bring together local and national government leaders, including Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, lawmakers, […]

Read the full story

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

United Nations | Azores Recognized as Global Model for Marine Protection – Nice, France

14 June 2025

The Azores were internationally recognized as a global model for marine protection at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held this week in Nice, France. Recognized as a pioneering model in marine conservation, the Azores offer a powerful real-world example of how science-based ocean protection can align with local economic development and global biodiversity […]

Read the full story

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

Community | Students from Rabo de Peixe visiting Rhode Island – Azores

13 June 2025

Thirteen students from Rabo de Peixe, a coastal town on São Miguel Island in the Azores, concluded a week-long visit to the United States as part of the “Entre Mares e Metrópoles” (Between Seas and Metropolises) program. The visit aimed to strengthen cultural ties between the Azores and the Azorean diaspora in Rhode Island, particularly […]

Read the full story

Posted in Azores, Community, Education, Featured, Heritage, People, São Miguel, World