Expats from 5 countries get together to celebrate World Portuguese Language Day

The embassies of Angola, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Portugal on Saturday celebrated the World Portuguese Language Day–2024 in co-operation with Katara Cultural Village and the Translation and Interpreting Institute of Hamad bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in the presence of residents from the five countries and guests.
After a documentary screening titled 'Portugal: as never seen before', Brazil ambassador Marcelo Dantas made a presentation titled 'The expansion of the Portuguese language and the creation of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)' where he spoke about the creation of the CPLP on July 17, 1996, at the Lisbon Constitutive Summit. It comprises Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and Timor-Leste. Founded upon the principle of solidarity, the community has four main objectives: political and diplomatic co-ordination; co-operation in all areas; promotion and diffusion of the Portuguese language, and economic co-operation.
The community dates back to the first meeting of the heads of states (Sao Luis do Maranhao, November 1989), at the initiative of Brazil. On the occasion, the International Portuguese Language Institute was established, with its headquarters in Praia, Cabo Verde. In 2005, the Institute was incorporated into the community as a co-ordination forum for the promotion and diffusion of the Portuguese language.
Ambassador Dantas highlighted that the "community is thriving and that there is no hegemony in the group as it promotes friendship and development and we are grateful to Portugal for this great opportunity to be together.”
In an exclusive statement to 'Gulf Times', ambassador Dantas said: “This day was an opportunity for our countries to get together and to promote our culture among the community of Qataris and in the region. Qatar is part of this history as explorer Vasco da Gama was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans.
"This is widely considered a milestone in world history, as it marked the beginning of a sea-based phase of globalization. It is also a moment to get Qatar to be closer to us and to participate in our efforts of co-operation and development. All the Qatari officials I have spoken to are interested in getting closer to the Portuguese-speaking countries.”
Portugal ambassador Paulo Neves Pocinho said: “There are 265mn Portuguese speakers around the world. We are trying to promote the teaching of the Portuguese language at HBKU and co-operation with the Institute of Portuguese Language in Portugal. There is a direct flight from Doha to Lisbon since last June and this will help co-operation greatly. We are trying to get some collaboration with archivists, historians. We are trying to strengthen our relations since we have so many things in common like the sea, fishing, tourism, we are very welcoming people like the Qataris. We are trying to build sustainable relations with Qatar, which is very strong in mediation and on other common aspects between the two friendly countries.”
The presentation was followed by a music concert by Angolan singer Gelsom Castro who delighted the audience by singing songs from each of the above mentioned countries, as expressed by Portuguese expatriate Elisabete Reis who said: “the concert was delightful, we enjoyed it.” Guests were also treated to a buffet with Portuguese traditional food and other flavours from the participating countries.