Sailing on Shared Seas: Portuguese Poets in Translation during Portuguese Immigrant Week in California

“Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.”

Robert Frost

Translating poetry from Portuguese to English and bringing the translated poets to the United States can be a powerful bridge between cultures, fostering understanding and appreciation. Poetry, often described as the language of the soul, holds immense cultural significance, reflecting the nuances of a societys history, values, and experiences. Translating Portuguese poetry into English opens doors to a wealth of literary treasures that might remain inaccessible to English-speaking audiences, not just those of Portuguese ancestry; over a million in the United States dont speak Portuguese. These translations provide a window into the rich tapestry of Portuguese culture and how contemporary Portuguese Poets view the human condition, allowing readers to explore themes, emotions, and perspectives that transcend linguistic barriers.

Bringing translated poets from Portugal to the United States to speak to college students and engage with communities creates opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange. Hearing directly from the poets themselves adds depth and authenticity to the experience of engaging with their work. It allows for a deeper understanding of the cultural context behind the poetry and offers insight into the creative process. These interactions, as we saw with the presence of Angela Almeida and Alberto Pereira at Fresno State and Berkeley City College, facilitate dialogue and connections between individuals from different backgrounds, fostering empathy, mutual respect, and appreciation for diversity.

For college students, encountering translated Portuguese poetry and engaging with the poets can be a transformative experience. It offers a unique opportunity to expand their worldview, challenge their assumptions, and develop a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of humanity. Exposure to diverse perspectives through poetry can inspire students to think critically, cultivate empathy, and become more culturally literate. Additionally, interacting with poets from Portugal provides students with valuable insights into the complexities of translation, language, and the art of poetry itself. At Fresno State, y nearly 50 students could listen and engage in Angela Almeidas presentation about the history and the richness of Azorean Poetry and Alberto Pereiras view on contemporary poetry and what it represents to him.

Bringing translated poets from Portugal to speak to college students also has the potential to enrich academic discourse and inspire new avenues of research and study. Scholars and students can benefit from engaging directly with the poets, gaining firsthand knowledge of their creative processes, influences, and perspectives. These interactions can spark interdisciplinary collaborations, leading to innovative approaches to studying literature, language, and culture. Hosting translated poets on college campuses, such as Fresno State did last week, with the President of the University hosting a dinner with administration, faculty, and community members, can enhance the cultural vibrancy of academic communities, fostering a spirit of curiosity, intellectual exploration, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Beyond academia, connecting translated poets with communities across the United States can promote cultural exchange and understanding on a broader scale. Poetry can transcend boundaries, resonating with people from all walks of life. By bringing Portuguese poets to speak in diverse communities, we create opportunities for individuals to connect with the universal themes and emotions expressed in their poetry. This happened in Tulare through the collaboration of the Tulare-Angra Sister City Foundation and the California Portuguese- American Coalition (CPAC), and Modesto with the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (PFSA) and CPAC. These interactions foster a sense of shared humanity, strengthening bonds between people from different cultural backgrounds and fostering a more inclusive and interconnected society. Translating Portuguese poetry and bringing the poets to the United States catalyzes cultural enrichment, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

Born in Lisbon, Alberto Pereiras work reflects both the urban complexity of his surroundings and the timeless essence of the human experience. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Pereira skillfully weaves the personal and universal in a perfect symbiosis utilizing the most refined poetic language. His poems invite readers to reflect upon their experiences and emotions. With a keen eye for detail and a deep sense of empathy, Pereira sheds light on the struggles of the marginalized and the disenfranchised, giving voice to those whose stories might otherwise go unheard. His poetry is powerful and unique, constantly refined in every single detail. Through translating his work into English and published by Bruma Publications and Letras Lavadas, Pereiras poetry has reached readers far beyond the borders of Portugal, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation. His visit to the United States to speak to college students and connect with communities has further solidified his role in Portuguese contemporary poetry, bridging the gap between cultures and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience. Through his evocative verse, Pereira invites readers to explore the depths of the human soul, confronting lifes complexities with courage and compassion. His work serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us of the transformative potential of poetry to connect us across borders and unite us in our shared humanity.

Born on the island of Faial, but having lived most of her life in São Miguel island, Ângela Almeida writes with remarkable skill and sensitivity. Her verses resonate with the rhythm of the Atlantic waves and the whisper of wind through volcanic landscapes, constantly concerned with the human experience and the common bonds we all share. At the heart of Almeidas work lies a profound concern for the human condition, expressed through themes of identity, belonging, resilience, and the complexities of the human experience. Her poetry serves as a poignant reflection of the struggles and triumphs inherent in the human journey, resonating with readers on a deeply personal level. Her work serves as a testament to the resilience of diasporic communities, grappling with questions of cultural identity, assimilation, and the preservation of heritage in the face of displacement and change. Through her evocative imagery, empathetic portrayal of human emotion, and unwavering commitment to social justice, she reminds us of the interconnectedness of our shared humanity. Her work invites readers to contemplate the depths of the human condition, fostering empathy, understanding, and a renewed sense of solidarity across borders and cultures. Translated into English, her work is now available to a broad audience and, indeed, to the over one and a half million Americans of Portuguese ancestry in the US and Canada who dont speak or read Portuguese but are still connected to their heritage.

PBBI at Fresno State was proud to put this program together during Portuguese Immigrant Week in California. Poetry is vital to the world because it speaks to what it means to be human. It celebrates our capacity for creativity, empathy, and connection, enriching our lives with beauty, meaning, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the entangling world around us.

A SATA- Azores Airlines delegation led by CEO Teresa Gonçalves visited Fresno State in late January of 2024 for a visit to the campus, a meeting lunch with the Deans, a meeting with President Saúl Jimenz-Sandoval, and a meeting with dignitaries in Fresno organized by Congressman Jim Costa. During the visit, the President of SATA announced an agreement to offer five students from Fresno State the opportunity to do an internship in the Azores, four from the Jordan College of Agricultural Science and Technology, and a fifth one to alternate between the College of Arts and Humanities and Social Science. Here are some pictures of that visit.

Em Almoço da denegação da SATA com responsáveis das faculdades da universidade e líderes comunitários.