Video: BNV Panel Discusses Portuguese Holiday
Weekend festivities marking the 170th anniversary of the first Portuguese migrants arriving in Bermuda are aimed at the entire community, and the holiday is a proud moment for the island’s Portuguese Bermudian community.
This was from former Member of Parliament and local businessman Jeff Sousa, who sits on the steering committee responsible for the commemorative events, who said activities being held over the long holiday weekend are intended to be fully inclusive.
“I feel people will come together, people will celebrate in different ways,” he said. “We want to encourage people to come out and celebrate with us at all the events that are taking place this coming weekend.”
Mr. Sousa was joined by Vasco Da Gama Club president Paul Franco and filmmaker Milton Raposa, who has made an upcoming documentary about the Portuguese experience in Bermuda, for the videotaped panel discussion hosted by Don Burgess.
Mr Franco said that Bermuda is his home, explaining that he is proud to call himself a Bermudian, while also being connected with his roots.
The 170th anniversary festivities, which get underway on Saturday [Nov 2], include a visit to Bermuda by Azorean President Vasco Cordeiro and a Block Party on Reid Street that evening.
There will be a special mass at St. Theresa’s Cathedral on Sunday followed by a Procession of Faith through the Victoria-Dundonald Street area. After the procession there will be a coffee social event hosted by the Portuguese Pastoral Council at Mount Saint Agnes Academy.
And activities on Monday [Nov 4], the Public Holiday, will culminate with an official ceremony and tree planting, monument plaque unveiling at the Botanical Gardens at 11.30am.
Even though I disagree with Vasco Da Gama being a hero (as he was a barbaric Slave Trader) I will enjoy a paid Holiday.
I agree, slavery was/is barbaric. And I’m glad you note ‘trader’ in your comment. Let’s also reflect on how they were traded/sold into slavery to begin with.
And the Prize for Completely Missing The Point and Creating A Narrative That Suits Themselves goes tooooo…..Onion Juice!
Yaaayyy!