Portuguese Society of Calgary
| Founding Date: | May 7, 1971 |
| Address: | 4888 – 35th S. E. Calgary, Alberta T2B 3M6 |
| Telephone: | 403-265-3560 |
PRESERVERANCE AND PASSION MAINTAIN TRADITIONS ALIVE
Audio Version:
The Portuguese arrived in Calgary at the start of our official immigration to Canada, in the 1950s. For nearly two decades, the community here grew around work at the CN Rail while others were farmhands in the outskirts of the city. Eventually, many of those who lived in rural settings made their way to the urban centre, increasing the numbers and the relevance of the Portuguese community and naturally giving rise to the formation of the first official Luso-Canadian organization: the Portuguese Society of Calgary.
The Society was formed on May 7, 1971 by six men who are, unfortunately, no longer with us: João Pereira (metal trade worker), Francisco Enes (operator), Paulo Lestino (metal trade worker), José Pereira Jacinto (carpenter), Manuel de Castro (labourer), and João de Lima (occupation not specified) who passed away recently. A soccer team was also formed in the city around this time – the Canadian Luso Soccer Club – which later joined the Society and with it remained until current times.
Over the years, the Society has provided the local Portuguese community with opportunities to engage in cultural and social events, but it has also played the role of connecting the descendants of the pioneers with their roots. Nelly Teofilo is one such Luso-Canadian who was born and raised in Calgary and who maintains the legacy passed on by her parents, who originate from the Azorean island of Sao Miguel. Along with her husband, Jaime Teofilo – who is the current president of the organization – and her children, Nelly has dedicated countless hours to the Society and continues to strive for the survival of an organization that is in dire need of involvement from the local community.
“It’s not easy for the club to sustain itself. I would say that maybe 5% [of the community], if that, come around to any of the events. The future, I’m not really sure what’s going to happen. We are running with 100% volunteers, and we all have careers, are self-employed or have business to run. It is almost like running your own business on the side but for free because it’s all volunteer. That’s a challenge. In order to find people to take time out of their day, out of their lives to help run an organization like that, is incredibly challenging. The individuals who are considered Portuguese, they just immerse themselves in the Canadian culture. Yes, they consider themselves Portuguese, but they’re not actually partaking in any of these events. It’s incredibly challenging to entice people to come in,” Nelly Teofilo told us during a conversation held in May of 2022.
Although the Society has experienced similar challenges in the past, it once enjoyed better participation from its members and supporters. The soccer team, which joined the organization early on, was active for many years. It began as an adult squad that competed in the local leagues but, at one point, the interest was such that a U-18 team was also formed. “None of that exists anymore. I want to say it ended five years ago. We are trying [to bring it back]. The challenge that we have is that a parent that has a child who’s playing soccer, they’re playing in these leagues that exist within the city. It’s difficult to start that within the Society because we would need someone to look after that completely. Not to say it can’t be done, but it’s just the challenge to find someone to take that on. We’d love that,” Nelly said.
In the 1980s, an independent folk-dance group was formed in Calgary. However, its members realized that it would be in their best interest to join the Portuguese Society, a move that was promptly accepted by the Executive Board of the time. “They would go from one house to another and then [they realized that they] would be better off under the Portuguese Society. We have the physical building where they can practice. Since then, they’ve grown substantially. They are incredibly large. The official name is Portuguese Folk Group of Calgary,” Teofilo informed. The group is accompanied by live music and singers, and represents the Minho region.
The Portuguese school, which is almost as old as the organization itself, is an activity that has stood the test of time. Although it was better attended during the 70s and the 80s, it continues to operate with large interest from the community, as Nelly Teofilo recounted: “The immigrants that were here really had a passion. They wanted to keep the Portuguese language. They would drop off their kids on Saturday. The kids were there for four hours. It was an opportunity to get to know other people within the Portuguese community. We have always had a Portuguese teacher. We get our programs from the Consulate. We do run a full program. We have two teachers for two classes, a younger and an older class. The Consulate comes out on a regular basis.”
From its inception, the organization rented a hall in Inglewood, the historical part of Calgary, but after the turn of the millennium it moved permanently to its current location, which it owns. The move has facilitated the sustainability of the Society and allowed it total control over its affairs. “We rented for many years and then we bought the building where we are right now. We have a bar. We normally open on the weekends. The thing is that we are strictly volunteer and, of course, the volunteers are working, so quite often during the week we’re not available. On Fridays, we try to get someone in there because there are the seniors who like to go in there, have a cup of coffee and enjoy each other’s company. On the weekend, we are open,” Nelly offered. The building has the bar and a large hall on the main floor, and two classrooms on the upper floor for the Portuguese school. The second floor also houses the organization’s office.
At the Society’s headquarters, there is also more space to celebrate the annual events that it organizes. They include the feast of Saint Martin, New Year’s Eve, and the celebration of Portugal Day. “We are the only organization in the community that does New Year’s, and it brings everyone. In Calgary, we have three groups: the Society, the Filarmónica, and the Church. The New Year’s event is really good. Everyone tends to come to that event,” Nelly Teofilo stated.
Although New Year’s Eve tends to attract large crowds, the celebration of Portugal Day remains as the organization’s main yearly event. The dream is to bring the event to the downtown area and to the general community but, for now, the Society is able to gather members from many cultures who are either associated with the Portuguese community or who are simply curious. It is a weekend long event that includes activities for the young and old, performances, and the traditional Portuguese cuisine. “On Saturday, we start with a soccer game, a friendly game. Then, we invite the Filarmónica. They march from their building – they are pretty close to us, just a few blocks away. They come over, in procession, playing. They stop in front of the club and then they do the Portuguese and Canadian anthems. We raise five flags: the Portuguese, Canadian, Province of Alberta, the Azores and Madeira flags. [The Filarmónica] usually plays after the raising of the flags and then the Portuguese school has a performance. They usually sing in Portuguese as well. Then we have the Portuguese folk group. Throughout the day, we have face painting for the children, we have games for the children to play, we barbecue sardines and frango no churrasco, we serve caldo verde, we make malassadas. We serve food all day, into the evening. In the evening, we finish off with some music. We have volunteers from the folk group, the committee from the club and the Filarmónica. We do have some Canadian people we know who come join us as well. Ideally, we’ll like to take it out into the city, but there are a lot of logistics that go along with that. That’s our goal to open it up beyond the Portuguese community,” Nelly Teofilo revealed.
Although the Portuguese-Canadians who reside in Calgary are not as involved in the Society’s life as Nelly Teofilo and the organization’s Board members would prefer, there is hope within the new generation. The Portuguese school is an indication of this, as is the folk-dance group and the Filarmónica, two cultural components that continue to attract many young Luso-Canadians, just like Nelly Teofilo’s children. “My daughter understands Portuguese completely. She will speak it if she needs to. My son is very fluent in Portuguese,” she proudly stated.
One can only hope that the passing of those who arrived here in the early days will ignite a passion within the young to preserve and celebrate the traditions and the culture transferred on to them. The Portuguese Society of Calgary will be there to support them. Its survival depends on it.
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