Why I Love Being Portuguese—and How I Manifest That Love Every Day

June 10, 2026

I love being Portuguese. I always have.

For as long as I can remember, being Portuguese gave me something unique. It connected me to a culture, a history, and a community that embraced me, supported me, and helped shape who I am.

It gave me opportunities to grow in ways I never expected. Through our clubs, organizations, festas, and cultural events, I learned skills that have stayed with me throughout my life—event planning, leadership, communication, conflict resolution, fundraising, public speaking, and community building.

It even made me a queen.

Most importantly, it gave me a sense of belonging and purpose. Being Portuguese is something I've always felt deep within me. It's difficult to explain to someone who hasn't experienced it. It's simply part of who I am. It's my heritage, my identity, and in many ways, my superpower.

As I've gotten older, I've realized that loving something comes with responsibility. If we truly love our culture, our language, our traditions, and our community, then we must actively work to preserve them.

The reality is simple: no one else is going to do it for us.

If we Portuguese—those of us who have every reason to keep these traditions alive—don't step up, then who will? If one day our clubs close, our language disappears from our communities, and our traditions fade away, who will we blame?

The answer is ourselves.

That belief has influenced many of the choices I've made throughout my life, including the creation of two businesses that are deeply connected to my Portuguese heritage: Aleaure and Riso Books.

Why I Started Aleaure

Aleaure was born from a desire to celebrate Portugal in a way that people could experience every day.

Growing up, I was surrounded by Portuguese culture. I attended festas, danced

folklore, volunteered in organizations, and spent countless hours immersed in traditions that connected me to my roots. Yet I often found that Portuguese-inspired products available in the market were limited, outdated, or focused on only a handful of familiar symbols.

I wanted something different.

I wanted to create beautiful, modern products inspired by the artistry, architecture, colors, and stories of Portugal. I wanted people to be able to carry a piece of their heritage with them—whether through fashion, home décor, accessories, or gifts.

Every Aleaure pattern tells a story.

Some are inspired by centuries-old azulejo tiles. Others draw from the vibrant streets of Lisbon, the colorful houses of Madeira, the romance of the Lenço de Namorados, or the iconic calçada patterns that define Portugal's cities.

Aleaure allows me to share the Portugal I know and love while helping others celebrate their own connection to our culture.

It's my way of preserving Portuguese artistry and introducing it to a new generation.

Why I Started Riso Books

My passion for preserving Portuguese culture extends beyond design. It also lives in stories.

That's why I founded Riso Books, a publishing company dedicated to creating books that celebrate Portuguese heritage, traditions, history, and identity.

Books have always been one of the most powerful ways to preserve culture. They pass knowledge from one generation to the next. They help children understand where they come from. They keep stories alive long after the people who first told them are gone.

I created Riso Books because I believe our community deserves more books that reflect our experiences, our traditions, and our history. Whether it's introducing children to Portuguese culture, sharing stories from our communities, or documenting traditions that risk being forgotten, every book represents an investment in our future.

Because culture survives when it's shared.

Portuguese Pride Is More Than a Feeling

Today, especially on Dia de Portugal, it's easy to say we're proud to be Portuguese.

The harder question is what we do with that pride.

Do we support Portuguese organizations?
Do we attend community events?
Do we volunteer?
Do we teach our children the language?
Do we support Portuguese-owned businesses?
Do we share our traditions with the next generation?

My friend Diniz Borges, whose dedication to our community I deeply admire, often says:

"You're proud to be Portuguese? That's great. Now what are you going to do about it?"

I think about that question often.

For me, Aleaure and Riso Books are part of the answer.

They are my way of turning Portuguese pride into action. Your answer may look different. Maybe it's volunteering at a festa. Maybe it's teaching your grandchildren a family recipe. Maybe it's joining a Portuguese organization, speaking Portuguese at home, supporting a local Portuguese business, or simply sharing our stories with others.

Whatever it is, do something.

Because Portuguese culture isn't preserved by accident. It's preserved by people who care enough to keep it alive.

Today is a day to celebrate being Portuguese.

Tomorrow is a day to preserve it.