Records of Portuguese immigration to Brazil appeared in the 18th century and became more regular from the 19th century onwards. Due to numerous studies on the subject, today we can count on more reliable estimates of the number of immigrants who came to Brazil since the 16th century.
In the first two centuries of colonization, about 100,000 Portuguese came to Brazil. In the following century, this number increased: an annual average of 10,000 Portuguese immigrants was recorded. The peak of the migratory flow occurred in the first half of the 20th century, between 1901 and 1930: the average exceeded 25,000 per year.
The socioeconomic origin of the Portuguese immigrant is very diverse: from a prosperous elite in the first centuries of colonization, it shifted to a growing flow of poor immigrants from the second half of the 19th century.
The relations between Brazil and Portugal go far beyond historical dimensions. There is mutual interest in leveraging bilateral political capital to deepen trade and investment flows and to create new partnerships in the scientific, technological, cultural, and educational fields.
Trade has shown constant growth and is becoming more balanced. In addition to the 600 Portuguese companies established in Brazil, Portuguese entrepreneurs have shown increasing interest in investing in infrastructure projects in the country. Brazilian investments in Portugal are also on the rise.
Portugal has been diversifying its political and commercial partnerships. Brazil appears, in this context, as a relevant actor for the future of the country’s economic and commercial relations, which is why the Portuguese government supports negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union.
Partnerships in the scientific and technological fields reflect Brazilian interest in professional training and Portuguese interest in utilizing its renowned university and laboratory structure. Recent initiatives in innovation, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and energy demonstrate the vitality of the technological agenda between the two countries.
The articulation between Brazil and Portugal on political issues is extensive. After close cooperation in the United Nations Security Council in 2011, the Portuguese government was a firm ally in the process that led to the appointment of Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The educational exchange between Brazil and Portugal is one of the oldest, grounded in centuries of shared history. Portugal is one of the main destinations for Brazilian scholarship holders participating in “Science without Borders” or the International Degree Programs.
Between September 7, 2012, and June 10, 2013 (Portugal Day, Camões Day, and the Day of Portuguese Communities), the “Year of Brazil in Portugal” and the “Year of Portugal in Brazil” were held, contributing to update public opinion about the diversity and dynamism of contemporary cultural production in both countries. The “Year of Brazil in Portugal” was the largest display of Brazilian culture ever held abroad: for ten months, 294 events were held in various Portuguese cities, covering artistic manifestations and business and scientific-technological events, with an estimated audience of six million people.
Chronology of Bilateral Relations
• 1500: Arrival in Brazil of a fleet commanded by navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral and claim of sovereignty over the territory for the Portuguese Crown
• 1532: Establishment of hereditary captaincies in Brazilian territory
• 1549: Appointment of the Governor-General of Brazil
• 1775: Creation of the Vice-Kingdom of Brazil
• 1808: Transfer of the Portuguese court to Rio de Janeiro and opening of the ports
• 1815: Creation of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves
• 1822: Declaration of Brazilian independence
• 1825: Recognition of Brazilian independence by Portugal through the Treaty of Peace and Alliance
• 1914: Elevation to the category of Embassies of the diplomatic representations of Brazil and Portugal
• 1953: Signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Consultation
• 1972: Delivery to Brazil of the remains of Emperor Dom Pedro I
• 1991: Holding of the I Brazil-Portugal Summit
• 1996: Creation of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries – CPLP
• 2000: Signing of the Treaty of Cooperation, Friendship, and Consultation
• 2003: Signing of the Agreement on the Facilitation of the Movement of People; the Agreement on Reciprocal Hiring of Nationals; and the Agreement on Cooperation for the Prevention and Suppression of the Illicit Trafficking of Migrants
• 2011: Visit to Brazil by the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luís Amado (February 18)
• 2011: Visit of President Dilma Rousseff to Portugal (March 29 and 30)
• 2011: Visit to Brazil by the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Portas (July 26 to 28)
• 2012/2013: Holding of the Year of Brazil in Portugal and the Year of Portugal in Brazil
• 2012: Visit to Brazil by the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Portas (September 3 to 8)
• 2013: Visit to Brazil by the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Portas (May 22)
• 2013: Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, to Portugal (April 10 and 11)
• 2013: Visit of the President of the Republic, Dilma Rousseff, to Portugal (June 10)
• 2013: Holding of the XI Brazil-Portugal Summit (June 10)
• 2014: Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, to Portugal (March 20)
• 2015: Visit to Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo by the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rui Machete (May 4 to 7)
• 2016: Working meeting of Minister Mauro Vieira with the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, on the sidelines of the International Conference in Support of Syria and the Region, in London (February 4) First Capital of Brazil
The architectural, landscape, and urban ensemble of the Historic Center of Salvador was designated as Brazilian heritage in 1984 and, the following year, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The history of the Bahian capital dates back to the early years after the arrival of the Portuguese in Brazil, when Tomé de Sousa, in 1549, received orders from the King of Portugal to found a fortress city in the Bay of All Saints. Thus, São Salvador was born, the seat of the General Government, for many years the largest city in the Americas.
The public spaces of Salvador – Praça Municipal, Terreiro de Jesus, Caminho de São Francisco, Largo do Pelourinho, Largo de Santo Antônio, and Largo do Boqueirão – resulting from the layout of its streets, slopes, and alleys, form one of the richest urban ensembles of Portuguese origin. The two or more story houses and the solutions for building on uneven terrain are typical examples of Lusitanian culture.
Culture
The artisanal work of the descendants of Portuguese immigrants preserves the particularity of the “Além Mar” craftsmanship. Weaving with straw, rope, thread, and plant fibers.
Hat, basket, and shawl making maintains the characteristics of this European culture, passed down by the first colonizers and still developed mainly in cities in Rio Grande do Sul.
Music
Fado is the Portuguese musical style. It is usually sung by a single person (fadista) and accompanied by a viola and Portuguese guitar. The most sung themes in fado are saudade, nostalgia, jealousy, or the small stories of everyday life in typical neighborhoods. Its most famous interpreter was Amália Rodrigues. Portuguese music beyond borders has reached a level of international recognition and has helped to promote the Portuguese language worldwide. The typical Portuguese musical instruments are: cavaquinho, bagpipes, accordion, violin, drums, Portuguese guitar (a characteristic instrument of fado), in addition to a variety of wind and percussion instruments.
Dance
Among the greatest cultural contributions from Portuguese colonizers and immigrants were the dances and folk festivals. Chimarrita, pau-de-fita; quadrilha, the June festivals, São João, São Pedro, and Santo Antônio, the fandangos, and the spirit of Santo’s songs, known throughout Brazil, are widely spread and originated in Portugal but were incorporated into Brazilian culture.
Religiosity
The Portuguese influence on religiosity is strong, as Catholicism is the official religion in Brazil and Portugal. This influence can be seen in beliefs, myths, superstitions, promises, and processions. There are also religious manifestations accompanied by processions of Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Fátima, Our Lady of Navigators, and Saint Peter.
Cuisine
Portuguese cuisine is very rich in variety. Each locality in the country has its typical dishes, ranging from beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, to various sausages, different species of fresh fish and seafood, and of course, cod. Among the cheeses, those from Serra da Estrela and Azeitão stand out. Among the typical dishes, the Cozido à portuguesa, Bacalhau à Braz, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Leitão assado à moda da Bairrada, Caldo verde, and grilled fish are highlighted.
In the pastry shop, among a huge variety, the famous Pastéis de Belém, ovos moles de Aveiro, and pão-de-ló de Ovar stand out.
Portugal is a country with a strong wine culture, with famous wines from Douro, Alentejo, and Dão, the green wines from Minho, and the liqueurs from Porto and Madeira, all of which today also compose the miscegenation of Brazilian culture.
Sources: www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br and www.itamaraty.gov.br