The President of the Republic, António José Seguro, “chose the island of Terceira, in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, as the stage for the official celebrations of the Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities in 2026”, says the note published this Wednesday, March 18, on the website of the Presidency of the Republic.
The choice “takes on special significance as it pays homage to regional autonomies, which this year mark 50 years of their constitutional consecration.”
“By celebrating this date in the Azores, the President of the Republic highlights the historical, political and cultural importance of the autonomous regions in the construction of a more cohesive, plural and supportive Portugal, simultaneously reinforcing the values of national unity and territorial cohesion”, the note reads.
It is also announced that, on June 12th, António José Seguro will participate, “in Madeira, in a session commemorating 50 years of autonomy and 40 years of European integration”.
But the June 19th celebrations “are also marked in Luxembourg, a country that is home to one of the most expressive and dynamic communities in the diaspora.”
“This decision reinforces the recognition of the contribution of Portuguese residents abroad to the development of the country and Portugal’s affirmation in the world”, indicates the note from the Presidency of the Republic.
In his inauguration speech, on March 9, at the Assembly of the Republic, António José Seguro had already announced that he intended to continue his predecessor’s practice of marking this day in the national territory and abroad.
“As Jorge de Sena wrote, Portugal is made up of those who leave and those who stay – a feeling that President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa interpreted so well when, innovating, he decided to hold the celebrations of Portugal Day, in the national territory and in the diaspora; a practice that I decided to continue, as we share the same interpretation”, he said at the time.
Last year, the 10th of June celebrations, nationwide, took place in the Algarve, in Lagos. Abroad, Stuttgart and Munich, in Germany, were chosen to celebrate Portugal Day with Portuguese emigrant communities.
With Lusa
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