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 and Spain to become the powerhouse of Europe – By Len Port

24 January 2023

Portugal and Spain are predicted to become the powerhouse of Europe by producing and exporting large quantities of green hydrogen. As the need to limit global warming intensifies, we are now at a critical turning point to replace all fossil fuels with renewables. While Portugal is pressing ahead with hydro, solar and wind power, green […]

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Posted in Featured, Portugal, World

Community: Carnegie Museum celebrates Portuguese immigrant experience – California

24 January 2023

The Carnegie Museum is featuring an exhibit celebrating the many contributions of the Portuguese American community in Kings County, Hanford, California’s Central Valley. The “Retalhos: A Portuguese History of Kings County” opening is taking place on January 27, and will stay open year-long, each Friday, on Saturday and Sunday, from 1:00p to 5:00pm. Co-curated by […]

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

Luis Gonçalves: Meaningful ways to teach and learn Portuguese – Interview

21 January 2023

By Millicent Borges Accardi Luis Gonçalves was recently named the new Director of the Portuguese School, of the Middlebury Language Schools, which features a seven-week summer immersion program, offering beginner through advanced-level Portuguese languages courses. Established in 2003, the Portuguese School is one of 13 Middlebury Language Schools network, located on the campus of Bennington […]

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Posted in Awards, Community, Education, Featured, Heritage, Interviews, Organizations, People, Portugal, Scholarships, World

Book | The Falling Snow and other Stories | by José Maria Eça de Queirós – Editor’s Note

17 January 2023

The great nineteenth-century Portuguese author José Maria Eça de Queirós (1845-1900) has long been known for his novels, especially The Crime of Father Amaro (1880) and The Maias (1888). However, he also wrote short stories, and several of them, having stood the test of time, are now regarded as masterpieces. Although there is no question […]

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Posted in Arts&Culture, Books, Featured, Heritage, People, Portugal

Opinion | Catholicism in decline amongst the most devout – Portugal

12 January 2023

By Len Port Pope Emeritus Benedict XVl has been buried. Pope Francis has mobility impairment. The Catholic religion is in decline. However, the Sanctuary of Fátima in Portugal is surging ahead and this will again welcome millions of pilgrims and tourists. Benedict, the first pontiff to resign in six centuries, did so in February 2013; […]

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

Travel: Portuguese passport sixth on the world passport index – Portugal

12 January 2023

The Portuguese passport was ranked sixth, down from fifth, as one of the most “powerful” in the world offering visa-free passports for 187 countries, according to the 2023 Henley Passport Index (HPI). Portugal shared the same spot with France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The HPI, based on data from the International Air Transport Association […]

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