Kearny, NJ – On Sunday, June 4, 2023, Mayor Alberto G. Santos, Council Members Marytrine De Castro, George Zapata, Richard Konopka, Peter Santana, Eileen Eckel, Gerald Ficeto and Stathis Theodoropoulos joined Amaro Dos Santos, President, and members of the Portuguese Cultural Association (ACP), to raise the Portuguese Flag in honor of Portugal Day. The flag raising ceremony took place at American Revolution Bicentennial Park (Town Hall Park) in Kearny and included remarks by Mayor Alberto G. Santos, Luis Sequeira, the Portuguese General Consul in Newark, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, and Assemblyman William Sampson.
During his remarks, Mayor Santos emphasized that the ceremony was a celebration of both Portuguese heritage and American integration, of an immigrant community that has become part of the American fabric through shared values. Mayor Santos recognized the contributions of Kearny’s Portuguese community and the importance for everyone who comes here to embrace the values that make our country the land of opportunity, allowing us to work, to be free, to succeed and to give back to our community. Portugal Day is also known as Dia de Camões (Day of Camões) in honor of Portugal’s national poet, Luis Vaz de Camoes.
In addition to the flag raising, attendees enjoyed music by the Philharmonic band from the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Newark and performances by folkloric dancers from Sonhos de Portugal (Dreams of Portugal) that exhibited their culture using native costumes as the ACP shared a part of their heritage. Mayor Santos and the Town Council extend sincere thanks to the Portuguese Cultural Association and all participants and spectators for making the celebration a great success. This year’s Portugal Day festivities culminated at the Portuguese Cultural Association club facility on Schuyler Avenue where members and guests joined in the festivities with Portuguese cuisine and music.