By Joanne Oostveen-The Weekly News
Preserving and promoting culture is not always an easy thing to do in the modern world.
According to Jack Leitao, president of the Portuguese Social Club, it's all they can do to maintain their membership, let alone entice the younger generation to take up the torch.
"We used to have about 60 family members involved in the organization. Now, we have a lot fewer than that," he said. "There are a few younger ones who have shown interest, but you can count them on the fingers of one hand."
Leitao and his wife, Palmira, moved to HRM from Lisbon, Portugal, in 1966. As a young engineer, he had been encouraged to move to Halifax. The opportunities were great, he was told.
"I was told there was a lot of work then, that Scotia Square was being built, so I said yes," he said. "We moved here and didn't know anybody." Palmira says it was hard at first, especially being alone in a strange place. It was a shock, she said.
"The buildings were all small here in the 1960s," she said. "You could stand on Citadel Hill and see the entire city. It was so much smaller than Lisbon, where we were from."
While he didn't find work at the Scotia Square project, the young couple thrived, brought two children into the world and continued to celebrate and share their culture and heritage.
They met other Portuguese families, too. The first time was by accident, said Leitao.
"A clerk at the show store heard me speaking to my wife in Portuguese," he said. "And so she introduced herself to us. That was the beginning of our introduction to other Portuguese in the community."
Together with two friends, he helped form the social club in 1974. At that time, it was held at Saint Paul's Church on Windmill Road. It was a place where they could meet, dance, eat, share and enrich their heritage.
At one time, there were even volunteer teachers who worked out of the club to instruct the youngsters in the language and customs. That, too, fell by the wayside, said Leitao.
"The numbers just weren't there to continue with the teaching," he said.
By the end of the 1990s, Leitao and the committee decided to build their own club, hoping that the numbers could sustain the growth of the club, as well as the building.
They built their fully equipped hall, including a modern industrial kitchen, and opened in December 1999 on Mount Hope Avenue.
"We use it for the folkloric dancers, meetings, Fatima celebration and for our own suppers and events," said Leitao. "But now, we want to let the public know we are here, too. People can rent our hall or join us for suppers and events. Our hall is not being utilized enough."
Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east. It is famous for its fado music, great food and strong family and social relationships.
"When our famous actress and singer Amalia Rodrigues, who was called the Queen of Fado, died in 1999, the whole country had an official mourning period," said Leitao. "That is how much we cared."
Preserving the strength of their family units is what drives Leitao to continue to promote the club.
"Without this club, the Portuguese community would disintegrate as a unit," he said. "We need a place like this as a goal to keep us together."
He said the Portuguese community has added a lot to the local economy and he would now like to see residents come forth and help volunteer at the club so it can keep going, or rent the club for their own events.
"We need bookings and we need people to help," he said. "I hope we don't have to let it go for lack of interest."
The Portuguese Society will continue to host their annual open house in May to coincide with Fatima Days and hope to once again be involved in the Multicultural Festival in June at the Dartmouth waterfront.
"Where else can you go to get your stinky sardines?" said Leitao, referring to the delicacies they serve at the festival.
"I hope people continue to support us and our club. It is so important to honour heritage and culture."
To rent the hall at 30 Mount Hope Avenue, Dartmouth, or to ask more questions about the Portuguese Social Club, call 463-5261.
