PROVIDENCE - Scholars and students interested in expanding their knowledge of the literature and culture of the Azores at Rhode Island College, just received a boost from the Theophilo Braga Brotherhood and Literary Club of East Providence.
Last week, the club donated more than 200 new books to RIC's Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone World Studies.
The manuscripts, which had been in storage for several years, were originally donated to the club by the former Office of Emigrations and Support to the Azorean Communities of the Regional Government of Azores.
"We wanted to make the books available to the Portuguese community, but we never came up with a suitable forum to do so," said Armando Medeiros, the club president.
So, the Brotherhood decided that the collection would serve a better use at the state's only Institute for Portuguese Studies at Rhode Island College, where they could be used and shared.
"We're happy to promote anything for the betterment and advancement of Portuguese American students," said Medeiros.
The titles donated cover a wide spectrum of subjects, including art, music, literature, politics, and cultural celebrations such as the Holy Ghost Feasts.
Medeiros presented the books to Paul J. Tavares, chairman of the Institute's Advisory Board, at a monthly board meeting held at the college on March 10. He was accompanied by his father, Olympio Medeiros, who also served as club president for 17 years.
The younger Medeiros said this "collaborative effort" is very fitting.
In his remarks, Medeiros stated that Teófilo Braga was not only the first president of the provisional government of the Republic of Portugal in 1911 but was also a scholar, professor of literature, author and ethnographer. He was recalled how the Teófilo Braga Brotherhood began as a literary organization paying homage to the scholar born in Ponta Delgada, S. Miguel.
"We're very proud to do this and look forward to work with RIC and other Portuguese departments," Medeiros told O Jornal.
|
|
