We celebrate Dia de Portugal, Camões and Portuguese Communities every year on the 10th of June. The date of the death of the poet Luís de Camões. This day pays tribute to Portugal, the Portuguese, Lusophone culture and the Portuguese presence worldwide.
Origins
The 10th of June started as a municipal holiday in Lisbon, dedicated to Camões. The Estado Novo (New State) elevated it to a bank holiday as the “Day of Camões, Portugal and Race”. This regime occurred between 1933 and the Carnation Revolution on 25 April 1974.
The first reference to the 10th of June in a festive way is in 1880 by a royal decree of D. Luís. I. The decreed stated “National Feast Day and Grand Gala” to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the hypothetical date of the death of Luís de Camões, on the 10th of June in 1580.
After the Revolution in 1974, this day became the Day of Portugal, of Camões and of the Portuguese Communities.
Celebration
Each year, we choose a city to host the commemorations, which Portugal’s President will attend. In 2023, for instance, the city of Peso da Régua will host the celebrations.
The celebrations extend to the Portuguese communities in Africa.
Many activities, such as parades, military demonstrations and the awarding of merit medals, are part of the Dia de Portugal programme throughout the country.
Every year, we honour new individuals for their work on behalf of the nation.
Luís de Camões
Luís Vaz de Camões is Portugal’s greatest poet. His mastery of verse is comparable to that of Shakespeare, Homer, Dante and other great poets of old. He wrote a considerable amount of lyrical poetry and drama but his most famous epic work is Os Lusíadas (The Lusiads). The influence of his masterpiece Os Lusíadas is so profound that Portuguese is sometimes called the “a Língua de Camões” (“language of Camões”).
What else is celebrated?
A little less known by wider audiences is that the 10th of June also celebrates the Holy Guardian Angel of Portugal known as Angel Custodian of Portugal and Angel of Peace. The angel that protects the Portuguese nation.
Posts for further reading
- The Carnation Revolution
- How Portugal Became a Republic
- The Aljubarrota Battle
- Portuguese Independence Day
- National Anthem of Portugal
- June in Portugal
- Portuguese Words in Other Languages
June in Portugal | Portuguese Culture | The Portuguese Learning Hub