Portuguese Hall in the USA keeps alive cultural heritage with new generation

Cfull wing at the events, the involvement of the new generation and a space that houses all traditions are the key to the dynamism of the portuguese hall of San Diego, in southern California, where there is a lusodescendant community of about 20,000 people.

Situated on Avenida de Portugal in Point Loma, the hall of the Portuguese Union Sociedade do Espírito Santo (U.P.S.E.S.S) is the meeting point of the Portuguese Americans and descendants of the Portuguese who arrived in the region from the end of the 19th century, mainly linked to fisheries.

“ Our main event is the Feast [of the Holy Spirit], but we also hold events to raise funds and we have many community events,” Lusa Annette Balelo, president of the Union, told Lusa.

One example is the Lapa Party, another is the Halloween celebration. “We conduct events throughout the year so that the community can come to be part of our hall,” Balelo said.

On Thursdays, the lounge organizes a Bingo that is very popular, even with people who have no connection to the Portuguese community. The space was almost full.

“In Point Loma, you can go almost anywhere and people will ask what event they are promoting in the salon this week,” Balelo said. “These people grew up here or came from other communities outside San Diego and became familiar with our Portuguese community.”.

The responsible said that people come from everywhere to participate in the Festa do Espírito Santo and also the Portuguese product market, which is in the same space as the salon, is popular. “We have a good community,” he described.

Kenny Alameda, grandson of Portuguese immigrants and founder of Clipper Oil, attributed much of the cohesion to religious celebrations. “We have this strong faith,” he said. “Everyone in Portugal has faith, family and friends, and this is essential for success.”.

His son Kevin Alameda, who runs the company's day-to-day operations, is not as involved in the community as his father, but makes a point of taking his children to the annual festival. “I think it is very important to keep our roots and teach our children and show them the same traditions I grew up with.”.

Idalmiro da Rosa, who lives in Point Loma and is honorary Consul of Portugal in San Diego, explained that the community is strong because “all its associations work under the same roof”, hence the designation Portuguese Union/United Portuguese.

“ I am sure it will continue,” the Portuguese-American said, recalling that when he was young there were fears that the next generations would not take over the reins of traditions. “But there is always interest, there is always”, he continued. “As we become more adults, it is important to follow our old steps. Portuguese people like to identify with Portugal a lot”.

Annette Balelo, who is in the second year ahead of the U.P.S.E.S., was also very confident in the continuity of the hall and its traditions.

“ I am very proud”, he said, stressing that the direction of the hall is very young, as well as the audience that participates in the events and serves as queens and aias.

“ I am very confident that our community here in San Diego will continue and our traditions, our heritage, will continue,” said Annette Balelo. “Our culture is preserved here in Point Loma with the younger audience. I am honored and proud to be part of it,” she said.

The Portuguese Union established its first space, a chapel, in 1922. Its current space on Avenida de Portugal was inaugurated in 1948.