Casa das Beiras Cultural Community Centre
| Founding Date: | 2000 |
| Address: | 115 Ronald Avenue M6B 3X4 Toronto, Ontario |
| Telephone: | 416-604-1125 |
| E-mail: | casadasbeiras@rogers.com |
| Website: | casadasbeiras.com |
VITALITY AND AUDACITY WITH SIGHTS ON THE FUTURE
Audio Version:
Casa das Beiras Cultural Community Centre of Toronto was formed with the intention of bringing together the Portuguese-Canadians hailing from the former Provinces of Beira Alta, Beira Baixa, and Beira Litoral. Its predecessor is Clube Academico de Viseu, an association formed in 1989 that enjoyed great success both with its rancho folclórico and its soccer team.
Founded at the turn of the millennium, in the year 2000, Casa das Beiras has settled at 34 Caledonia Road ever since. The folk group transitioned from the defunct Académico de Viseu and maintained its name. The association added a Portuguese School, a soccer program, and a youth group to its mélange of activities. However, the Cultural Week, held each September, continues to be the staple of the organization with the participation of guests from Canada and from Portugal, including artists, politicians, and other personalities.
The youth group is vital to the survival of the association. It organizes various events that include Christmas for the Children, a Wake-a-Thon, a yearly picnic, Halloween party, talent shows, and summer camps for the younger ones.
In 2007, Casa da Madeira joined Casa dos Açores and Casa do Alentejo to organize the first Inter-Clubs Picnic, an initiative that has suffered interruptions over the years but that has the mark of something to be adopted by other associations.
Beyond organizing its own events at the imposing headquarters situated just north of Corso Italia, Casa das Beiras also aids other associations and individuals from the community by renting, for a nearly-symbolic fee, its main hall. It also hosts visitors daily at its bar, where one can have a drink and savour the Portuguese cuisine.
Casa das Beiras continues to thrive mainly due to the dedication of a dynamic Board and the commitment of its associates and supporters. At the turn of the millennium, it had the vision to unite all beirões under one roof, an audacious move that was made in the name of preservation.
The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated some of the challenges our associations have been facing, like lower membership and decaying interest from the newer generation of Luso-Canadians, and have forced them to either expedite or make difficult decisions. Such is the case with Casa das Beiras de Toronto. After more than two decades at 34 Caledonia Road, the organization is moving to a new location. It will remain on the Caledonia corridor, but will move a few kilometres further north.
| With files from Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008 |
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