The President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, Rubina Leal, participated in the Festa Madeirense (Madeiran Festival), held at Madeira Park in Toronto, Canada.
Addressing Madeirans and descendants of Portuguese immigrants, Leal praised the journey of courage, perseverance, and hard work of successive generations of emigrants who transformed the park, approximately 48 hectares, into a living symbol of the Portuguese and Madeiran community's achievements.
She emphasized that Madeira extends beyond its borders, with over a million Madeirans spread across five continents, and that emigration is one of the region's greatest assets. Leal highlighted the crucial role of women in preserving the language, traditions, and cultural identity, and thanked community institutions, such as the Casa da Madeira of Toronto, for their efforts.
