"I grew up here but I am attached to my culture" : the Portuguese diaspora celebrates its traditions in the c

This Sunday took place the 9th edition of the Folklore Gathering Festival of Portuguese emigrants from Ajaccio. The opportunity for the Cannes district to vibrate to the rhythm of the drums and the traditional music of the parade.

This afternoon in Ajaccio, the sound of percussion woke up the Cannes district on the occasion of the Portuguese Folklore Gathering parade. Three island associations from the diaspora paraded, grouped together and costumed according to Lusitanian traditions under the gaze of amused spectators.

This is the first time that the district has hosted the celebration, organized every year since 2015 in Baleone. Place de l’agora, the procession stopped in front of the Portuguese restaurant Chez Fernande: “It touches me from the bottom of my heart. I grew up here but I am very attached to my culture” whispers the boss Fernande Oliveira, very moved.

After the procession, it’s time for folk dances, to the sound of typically Portuguese instruments. “It’s not an accordion, it’s a concertine”we correct VÃtor Manuel Neves Da Silva, musician. “We must not let this die, we will continue to perpetuate the tradition as long as we are here. Fortunately, we are very well received in Corsica” he continues.

Each outfit represents a village or a profession. Between the members of the associations and the spectators, this edition brought together more than 200 people. “When we arrive there, we see it, it’s incredible. It’s a district which brings together a strong Portuguese diaspora, so the publicity was done. But we didn’t expect to have so many people“, rejoices Rui Veloso, president of the Association “Rancho Folclorico Portuguese Emigrants of Ajaccio”.

A moment of joy, meetings and the transmission of traditions which ended with a traditional banquet. The next of these many annual meetings will take place on May 31 in Porto Vecchio.