Bridgeport Celebrates Portuguese Community With Flag Raising
“Viva Portugal!” Mayor Joe Ganim told the crowd to applause and cheers.
While it is seen by some as a celebration of Portugal’s independence from Spain, Portugal Day was created to commemorate the death of Luis de Camões, a significant Portuguese writer best known for his work on "Lusiadas," an epic poem detailing the nation’s rich history and achievements.
Though Camões was a larger-than-life hero in his native land, his birthdate is unknown, so the holiday is commemorates the day of his death, June 10, 1580. Ironically, that is the same year the Spanish conquered Portugal, ruling for about 60 years before the Portuguese regained their independence in 1640.
Portugal Day is celebrated in Portugal and by emigrants around the world.
“Today is really a day of culture, of our culture and our history,” said Bill Gouveia, who holds the honorary post of Portugal Consul of Connecticut.
Many members of Bridgeport’s Vasco de Gama Center were on hand for the flag raising, as were state Sens. Marilyn Moore and Ed Gomes, who both have ties to Portugal through their Cape Verdean heritage.
Many Portuguese immigrants came to Bridgeport in the 1960s and 1970s to work in construction and in factories, Gouveia said. The next generation branched out into white-collar professions and made great contributions to the community, he said.
Moore said ceremonies such as the flag raising highlight Bridgeport’s pride in its diversity.
“I think we’re one of the richest cities in Connecticut,” she said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.
ncG1vNJzZmickZ65usLOopqeZpOkunCvzqelnpuknrC2wI6bqaKcl5q9sL7TaKWeoZedr7C%2B0miZq6GUnLKxu9GtZJydnJqvs63TnqpmqJ%2Bnwbaz1J6qnmWTpLquwc2iq7Jlp57BqXnFpZigZaKWtrS1zaBmb25lbYZyew%3D%3D