The Portimão Intercultural Week will take place between the 23rd and 29th of May, with the main objective of promoting the experience of the various migrant communities existing in this welcoming and inclusive municipality.
The initiative, which takes place under the motto of cultural diversity and is promoted by the Municipality of Portimão, aims to sensitize the community to the importance of a more just, egalitarian and intercultural society, within the scope of the municipal policy of inclusion to welcome those who seek this city. tolerant and sympathetic.
The program of this sixth edition starts at 15 pm next Monday, May 00, with the inauguration of the drying rack “For Peace, equality of rights and cultural diversity”, a display of t-shirts alluding to the theme, which will be on display during the next few days at Jardim 23º de Dezembro.
The initiative will count on the presence of users of the senior socializing centers that participate in this initiative, as well as the different partners of the Municipality that are part of the intervention and support network for the reception of the migrant population in Portimão.
The artistic installation is open to the participation of the community, and anyone can give wings to creativity and put their t-shirt on the clothesline, inspired by the theme “For Peace, equal rights and cultural diversity”.
For the 23rd and 24th, cultural tours are scheduled that challenge the migrant community to discover the “urban landscapes” of Portimão and “Islamic Alvor”, respectively, with registration open until the eve of each tour to the health email. [email protected]
Within the scope of the Intercultural Week, on the 25th and 26th of May, users of the Convivial Center of Aldeia das Sobreiras and of the Convivial Center of Portimão will have the opportunity to collaborate in the confection of "Doces d'Outros Countries" and participate in the workshops on traditional sweets from Brazil, Angola and Italy, promoted by migrants of these nationalities residing in Portimão, who will share their “knowledge and flavors” with the senior community.
At the Manuel Teixeira Gomes Municipal Library, on May 26, the book “Rua das Flores nº 10 – world to share”, by Felicita Sala, will be presented, with sessions at 10:00, 11:00 and 14:00 aimed at social solidarity institutions. A story that shows how the neighbors of a building, from many origins, share their gastronomic traditions with each other.
On the 27th, the Avenida S. João de Deus Market will host between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm the cooking show “Let's taste new flavors from the world”, promoted by the CAPELA association, with the confection of cheburek, a meat pastry from the countries from Eastern Europe.
At 19:00 pm on May 28, the African association ESOSA organizes at its facilities, located at Rua Prof. José Buísel, the convivial dinner “Smells of Africa”, composed of traditional African food and which will include recreational activities. The cost of the meal is 5 euros, excluding drinks, and those interested should register by May 27 via email [email protected]
The program of the Portimão Intercultural Week will culminate on May 29, the date on which the Municipal Day of Immigrants and Cultural Diversity is celebrated, with the return of the show "Encontro de Culturas", after the interregnum caused by the pandemic, not missing the music. , dance and culture from various corners of the world.
Scheduled for 18:00 in the auditorium of the Museum of Portimão, and with free admission, the Portimão Philharmonic Band, the CAPELA “Mixdance” Studio, the “Amigas do Cante Alentejano” and the ESOSA singing group, among others .
All this programming, organized within the scope of the Municipal Plan for the Integration of Immigrants, counts on the collaboration of the three migrant associations currently operating in Portimão: CAPELA – Support Center for the Emigrant Population of the East and Friends; All Mozambi – Cultural and Recreation Association of Mozambicans and Friends of Mozambicans; and ESOSA – African Association.
This year, the initiative becomes more relevant in view of the serious conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the CLAIM in Portimão playing an important role as the central point of intervention in the reception of migrants, as it is the first gateway for Ukrainian families who have arrived at the county.
CLAIM Portimão assisted more than 2700 migrants
A space for reception, information and support for migrants who find support here in adapting to a new life, CLAIM in Portimão is the result of a protocol established between the City Council and the High Commissioner for Migration and last year assisted 2755 migrants, among 200 from Brazil, 159 from Guinea-Bissau, 84 from Cape Verde, 44 from Angola and 38 from India.
Of the assistance provided during this period, 54 percent were men and 46 percent were women, with 26 percent of migrants aged between 26 and 35 years and 22 percent between 36 and 45 years.
Since its opening six years ago, CLAIM in Portimão has been sought after especially by migrants from Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Algeria, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, in a total of 38 nationalities, with the majority of assistance related to legalization issues. , residence renewals, family reunification, nationality, education (registration of minors) and health (attribution of the user number).
According to the most recent data available at the SEF and for 2020, in the municipality of Portimão there were 11.401 migrants with residence permits, the vast majority from Brazil (2724), followed by the United Kingdom (1427), Romania (978), Italy (793), Ukraine (769), France (500), Moldova (480) and India (448), numbers that are currently below reality, especially with regard to Brazilians, Ukrainians and Indians.
In pursuit of its objectives, CLAIM has a partnership with the National Immigrant Support Center – Faro, Foreigners and Borders Service – Portimão, Barlavento Health Center Group, Algarve University Hospital Center, Institute of Employment and Professional Training, county parish councils, Municipal Civil Protection, Portimão Fire Department, GRATO Professional Integration Office – Support Group for Drug Addicts, Social Security and social intervention associations, namely in the area of migrants.
Migrant associations play an important role of proximity
Founded about a year ago, ESOSA – Associação Africana is the most recent association of migrants in Portimão that aims to create a union between peoples, so that immigrants feel at home, regardless of their origins.
The association has a deep connection to the Missionary Order of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta and currently has about eight dozen members, seeking to help those in need.
Among the various support measures provided, ESOSA serves meals to the homeless and seeks to arrange accommodation and work for those who use its services, helping to fill in documents and resolve bureaucratic issues, namely directing migrants to the CLAIM in Portimão. , the SEF – Foreigners and Borders Service or for Social Security.
In addition to Portuguese classes for Indians and the weekly socializing of Africans, which takes place on Saturdays, this new association intends to dedicate special attention to young people, namely by implementing a school area.
The CAPELA Association – Centro de Apoio País de Leste e Amigos, created on February 25, 2005, develops several projects and initiatives in the context of equal opportunities for immigrants, especially in terms of awareness, information in the context of immigration issues at the in order to facilitate the integration process of its 1760 members, of 32 nationalities, which makes it one of the largest associations in the Algarve region.
In addition to promoting civil rights and carrying out various cultural activities, it maintains its dynamics even during the covid-19 pandemic, according to the needs of its members, supported by an office that continued to operate throughout this period and attended a monthly average between 550 and 600 immigrants in 2020.
For the association's contribution to the integration of immigrants in the Portimão community and for its social and humanitarian work, the Portimão City Council awarded CAPELA the Medal of Municipal Merit.
Created in 2012, All Mozambi's objective is to promote social relations, namely of a cultural and recreational nature, among its members, fostering the culture and traditions of Mozambique.
With more than fifty members, it promotes actions necessary for the integration of Mozambicans into the labor market and exchanges with other associations and, due to the pandemic situation, the association has been working with the Municipality of Portimão and Cáritas da Igreja Matriz de Portimão, to help fellow countrymen in need.
Portimão integrates Portuguese Network of Intercultural Cities
Portimão has been part, since 2016, of the Portuguese Network of Intercultural Cities together with 12 other municipalities, aiming to actively promote local diversity, welcome newly arrived families and ensure that all people feel included.
This entity is part of an international network of 141 municipalities around the world, committed to creating more inclusive cities and working together to develop essential activities and resources so that inclusion is a reality and not just an intention.
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