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. […]

Opinion | Portugal’s parliamentary election fails to form a stable government – Len Port 

19 May 2025

By Len Port The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Luís Montenegro, won the most votes in the parliamentary legislative election held on May 18, though not enough to form a stable government. The centre-left Socialist Party (PS), led by Pedro Nuno Santos, finished second with 23%, just ahead of the far-right Chega party, led […]

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

Honor | Portugal wins 32 awards at 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition – NY, NY

17 May 2025

Portuguese olive oil producers earned 32 awards at the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, reaffirming Portugal’s reputation as a global leader in premium extra virgin olive oil. The NYIOOC — the world’s largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest — honored 742 exceptional oils this year, including 517 Gold and 225 Silver Awards. […]

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Posted in Awards, Featured, Food & Wine, Heritage, Organizations, Portugal, World

Cinema | NY Portuguese Short Film Festival – New York, NY

15 May 2025

The 15th edition of the Portuguese Short Film Festival (NYPSFF) takes place on May 21, 2025, at Lincoln Center in New York City. The festival, organized by the Arte Institute, is a prominent annual event in New York City that showcases contemporary Portuguese cinema. Established in 2011, the festival aims to promote Portuguese culture and […]

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

Book | Perspectives on Portuguese History | Robbin Laird with Kenneth Maxwell – Editor’s Note

15 May 2025

Perspectives on Portuguese History provides a rich and complex picture of Portugal through various lenses, underscoring the tensions between tradition and modernity, authoritarianism and the desire for change, and national pride and the challenges of a globalized world. The book highlights the long shadow of the Salazar regime, the enduring legacy of its history and […]

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

Opinion | Portugal legislative elections expectations – Len Port

11 May 2025

By Len Port Although somewhat overshadowed this week by the election of a new pope in Rome, Portugal’s politicians are campaigning for votes in the snap legislative elections on Sunday, 18 May. There is an inevitability in the national election in that most votes will go to the two centrist parties: the centre-right AD Democratic […]

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

Religion | Portuguese nation greets Leo XIV new pope elect – Portugal

09 May 2025

The election of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, marks a significant moment in the Catholic Church, and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has extended heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, expressing “profound joy” for himself and the Portuguese people. In an official statement, he welcomed the new pontiff, emphasizing the shared values and […]

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