Rubina Leal, President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, participated in the opening ceremony of the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament in New Bedford, USA. The festival, organized by the local Madeiran club, is considered the largest celebration of Portuguese culture outside of Portugal.
In her speech, Leal thanked the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers who have kept the celebration alive for decades. She emphasized the symbolic significance of this year's edition, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of US independence, the 110th anniversary of the Madeiran club, and the 50th anniversary of Madeira's Autonomy, reinforcing the historical ties between the region, Portugal, and the Portuguese-American community.
Leal highlighted the festival as a testament to the ability of Portuguese communities, particularly Madeirans, to preserve and transmit their cultural heritage. She stressed that language, faith, customs, and a sense of belonging remain vibrant thanks to the dedication of generations of emigrants. The president paid tribute to the four founders of the festival—Manuel Agrela, Manuel Coutinho, Manuel Sardinha Duarte, and Manuel Gomes Sebastião, all from Calheta—and advocated for keeping this tradition alive.
Rubina Leal reaffirmed Madeira's pride in the journey of its communities worldwide, assuring that Madeirans abroad and their descendants are an integral part of the Region's identity. "Madeira never forgets its communities," she stated, recognizing the diaspora's contribution to the affirmation of Madeira and Portugal.
