A PORTUGUESE cultural celebration in Spearwood this weekend will double as the launch of a series of books exploring Portuguese language, culture and migration.
Author and organiser Mario Da Silva Antonio will unveil the collection during a community gathering at the Dalmatinac Sport and Community Club on Saturday evening.
The free event, beginning at 5pm, will feature a complimentary dinner and aims to bring together members of Perth’s Portuguese-speaking community along with the wider public.
Mr Antonio said the evening was designed to celebrate culture and connection.
“This event is an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come together, experience Portuguese culture, and celebrate the launch of this new book,” he said.
“We warmly welcome everyone in the community to join us for this special evening of fellowship, culture, and food.”
While the launch centres on a newly published title, Mr Antonio said the project actually involved nine books including language guides aimed at helping English speakers learn Portuguese.
“One is teaching the Portuguese language to English speakers. There is three volumes — module one is for beginners, module two is for intermediate level, and module three is for the best,” he said.
“In these three modules I cover all basic functions and notions that exist in the Portuguese language.”
Mr Antonio said the language books were designed to be read alongside cultural and historical material.
“To learn just the language, to me, doesn’t make much sense,” he said.
“If I learn like French or other language, I like to learn a bit of the culture and the history.”
Other titles explore Portuguese history and migration to Australia, including a detailed study of Portuguese communities across the country.
“I have another essential book — it is about the Portuguese migrants in Australia,” he said.
“So that is a very, very descriptive book about the Portuguese migrants in Australia.”
The Portuguese Cultural Celebration and Grand Book Launch will take place at the Dalmatinac Sport and Community Club in Spearwood at 5pm on Saturday, March 14. Entry is free, but registration is required via mario.antonio@bigpond.com
by STEVE GRANT