Associação Democrática de Toronto
Dissolved
In Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008, by Avelino Teixeira (translated from Portuguese by Paulo Pereira)
Audio Version:
This association, founded in 1957 by people who were previously part of First Portuguese Canadian Club, which in its pioneering years focused mostly on organizing political events, closed its doors in modest fashion but with the typical dignity that it has always maintained throughout its existence. It was done with a Porto de Honra on September 21, 2007, in the presence of those who deigned to be present. The Board Members expected a larger attendance. Just as it happens in other clubs and associations, one cannot avoid personal disputes and, as such, many times it is the association that stands in the losing end.
The Board of Directors’ Vice-President, Antonio Manuel Paz dos Santos, expressed discontent over the dissolution of Associação Democrática de Toronto and lamented over the disinterest from the youth, and said that the other associations and clubs in the Portuguese community of Toronto might suffer the same fate if the youth don’t get involved. He added that the youth will only get involved if the older members stop wanting everything to be done their own way. He mentioned the important role that this association played in the lives of many Portuguese pioneers who arrived in Toronto and went there looking for direction or to simply have a conversation.
Fernando Gonçalves, representing the Consulate of Portugal in Toronto, said that he is convinced that Associação Democrática will remain in the hearts of everyone, but especially in those who frequented and those who founded the association. He added that he is aware that the founders of this association had the intention of contributing to a radical change in the political situation of Portugal when they formed it. Possibly, he said, the founders did it also thinking of the many undocumented people who lived outside Portugal and who contributed immensely to the revolution of April 25, 1974. He reminded everyone that Associação Democrática was the second oldest in Toronto and that it always pursued the preservation of human rights. He added that the major political names aren’t the ones who effect real change, but the regular citizen. He also mentioned that it is possible that the association will be revived in the future, perhaps with more support and a bigger understanding from those who once belonged to it.
António Manuel Paz dos Santos, Board of Director’s Vice-President, sporting an apron because he had been working in the kitchen and serving tables, thanked everyone present and recalled major events held here, in over 30 years, during the association’s heyday. He mentioned the many Portuguese politicians who visited the association as well as the numerous renowned artists who performed there.
Busy between the kitchen and the hall, [the Vice-President] would interrupt his duties to approach the microphone and introduce different personalities. Firstly, he introduced João Freixo, representing Peniche, who said that this was a difficult task because he once belonged to the association and felt very sad. He added that Associação Democrática had reached its limitations “going against the current” and that it did not last due to the lack of enough members. He recalled its past, congratulated it for its anniversary and the Board members for their efforts.
Francisco Martins and Francisco Leite, respectively, read poems from Ari dos Santos and from the late António Teodósio Rodrigues. The latter was published on June 10, 1979, in the “O Democrata”, a periodical published by Associação Democrática de Toronto. Dr. Tomas Ferreira, who was invited to address those present, talked about the important role played by this association that brought awareness to the dictatorship experienced in Portugal during a time in which one couldn’t talk about social liberties in Portugal or independence in the former colonies. Dr. Ferreira also confessed that he had a feeling that someone would one day revive the association, perhaps at a smaller location. He added that it was imperative that it does happen.
Meanwhile, it was apparent that the Board members were busy during this event as was the case of President Joao Manuel dos Santos, President of the General Assembly Nicolau Paulo, Fiscal Counsel’s President Armando Pires, as well as other Board members such as Manuel Jose Ruela, Eduardo Branco, Maria Graciete, and Alexandra Clegg from the treasury commission. This lady, of Austrian background, had given much of her spare time to Associação Democrática de Toronto for many years. Marilia dos Santos and Maria Lourdes Oliveira, former Board Members, also worked really hard during this event.
As is custom during these celebrations, there was cake and champagne in commemoration of 50 years of existence of one of the oldest Portuguese associations in Toronto, as it sadly closed its doors without the opportunity to shed a tear.
According to information provided to me by the Board of Directors, the association’s assets were dispersed the week following the event. Half of the books contained in its vast library were donated to Casa do Alentejo, accompanied with a plaque engraved with “Biblioteca de Ari dos Santos”, created and painted by Marilia dos Santos and Julio de Carvalho. The other half was given to Associação dos Deficientes, located on St. Clair Avenue, in Toronto, except those books related to politics which will be sent to Associação 25 de Abril in Lisbon. The books on culture, poetry, and music will be sent to Casa do Artista, in Lisbon. The old piano and a few paintings were donated to the Museu dos Pioneiros under the care of Bernardete Gouveia and [the late] Jose Mario Coelho. Handwritten poems by Jose Carlos Ari dos Santos given to Associação Democrática will be sent to the artist’s museum, in Lisbon.
According to Antonio Manuel Paz dos Santos, all the clubs and associations that had maintained a good relationship with Associação Democrática de Toronto were invited to participate in the Porto de Honra, held on September 21st, with the intention of announcing the division of the association’s assets during the event. However, on that day, only Casa do Alentejo was represented by Rosa de Sousa. According to that executive member, it was important that those associations invited were present in case they wished to retrieve the plaques and trophies that they had given to Associação Democrática over the years. There is still a very important plaque in the possession of the Board that was once given to the association by the famous English writer William Russell Bertrand, born on February 2, 1872 and deceased on February 2, 1970. This plaque was given to Associação Democrática in 1966 in recognition for its efforts in the fight for human rights. Up to this moment, they haven’t yet decided where to send that plaque. However, they assured me that I will be informed of its destination once that determination has been made.
And so, with a knot in my throat, we witness the dissolution that not only served as a medium to the fight for democracy in Portugal but also as a location for those who had recently arrived in Toronto to gather and socialize and to find work, a place to live, or seek help with filling out a document.
We hope that this dissolution does not translate into a cycle of closures. We know that other clubs and associations are in dire financial state and without much hope for recovery. I am certain that no one wants them to be victims of these same circumstances. If that occurs, it will signify the disappearance of our culture, of our traditions, and who knows, even the language of Camoes in Canada. What can we do to prevent it? We must try to increase the involvement of our youth in our clubs and associations by providing them with the trust that they deserve.
| With files from Luso-Ontario Magazine, 2008 |
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