Stories about Portugal from February, 2011
A declaration of love to the Portuguese language, in all its variations
On February 21 Global Voices in Portuguese commemorated International Mother Language Day with a tribute to the lusophony in all its linguistic and cultural diversity. Read the blogsphere's reflections on the first novel dedicated to the Portuguese language, Milagrário Pessoal - the most recent work by the Angolan author José Eduardo Agualusa.
Portugal: Fight against prejudice on transgenderism
In her blog, Eduarda Santos – a portuguese advocate for transgender rights – points several examples [pt] of transphobic prejudice by the mainstream media. In January she had posted a thorough analysis [pt] of President Cavaco Silva's enactment against the change of name and gender of transsexual people.
Goa: Liberation Day or Conquest Day?
Paulo Dias writes on the blog Niz Goenkar about the events of December 19, 1961 when the former Portuguese province of Goa was annexed by India. Dias takes this day, which is celebrated nowadays as Goa's Liberation Day, to discuss whether Goa was in fact liberated or conquered by India...
Global: Thoughts on interfaith harmony and world peace
In this, the first, World Interfaith Harmony Week, people from all faiths have been getting together to forget about differences and promote religious tolerance and dialogue based on the mantras "Love of God and love of one's neighbour" or "love of the good and love of one's neighbour". Worldwide bloggers share views on why this dialogue is so important – and why it is not impossible to achieve it.
Portugal: A journey blog to Antarctica
On the blog Permantar-2 [pt] you can follow Gonçalo Vieira's scientific journey to the Antarctic Peninsula. The Portuguese researcher – who is part of an international study about the permafrost and the consequences of climate change on it – invites all readers [pt] to send questions related to the campaign.
Portugal: Reflections on Egypt
Portuguese bloggers react to the wave of revolts in Tunisia and Egypt in recent weeks, relating it to issues in their country. In this post we select some of reflections by Portuguese citizens on the scenario of change in comparative, and local and international perspectives.
