The Department of Culture hosted a special proclamation ceremony on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, at City Hall to commemorate the 176th anniversary of the arrival of Bermuda’s Portuguese community. The celebration honoured the vital contributions of Portuguese-Bermudians to the island’s culture, economy, and community life. The agenda was given by Ed Christopher, Town Crier, followed by remarks by Junior Minister Mischa Fubler; Lucia Botelho, President of Casa dos Açores da Bermuda; Charles Gosling, Mayor of Hamilton; and Hugo Miguel Pereira, President of the Vasco da Gama Club who also read remarks from Richard Ambrosio, Member, Council of the Azorean Diaspora (Bermuda), Chair, Portuguese Cultural Association.

Reflecting on the occasion, Minister of Tourism & Transport, Culture & Sport, the Hon. Owen Darrell, JP, MP, said, “The story of Bermuda cannot be told without the Portuguese community. For more than a century and a half, Portuguese-Bermudians have helped shape who we are through their hard work, their values, and their deep sense of community. Their legacy reminds us that Bermuda’s strength lies in its diversity, and that by celebrating our shared history, we build a more connected and compassionate future.”

Junior Minister Fubler, delivering remarks on behalf of Minister Darrell, highlighted the historic arrival of the first Portuguese immigrants from Madeira aboard the Golden Rule in 1849. He noted the courage and determination of those early settlers, whose skills and industry transformed Bermuda’s agricultural landscape and left a lasting imprint on the island’s development. The ceremony also acknowledged the work of organisations such as Casa dos Açores da Bermuda and the Vasco da Gama Club for their dedication to preserving Portuguese language, culture, and tradition.

Following the ceremony, attendees and members of the public gathered to enjoy freshly made Malasadas, a traditional Portuguese treat and music by DJ Scoobay, as a joyful conclusion to the celebration. The Department of Culture expresses gratitude to all speakers, participants, and community partners for helping to honour 176 years of Portuguese presence in Bermuda.