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Novel and author
presentation in Sacramento, California
Hosted by the Sacramento Portuguese Historical and Cultural Society,
Cabrillo Civic
Club No. 5 and the American-Portuguese Club Ladies Auxiliary
Event photos by Joseph
Ferreira and Marília Wiget
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[Click on book cover to order
now] |
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Author Álamo Oliveira, visiting from the Azores, captivates the
audience at the Monsignor Val Fagundes Social Hall of St. Elizabeth
Portuguese National Church on 23 April 2006. The occasion was a formal presentation of I
No Longer Like Chocolates, the new English translation of his acclaimed
novel Já não gosto de chocolates by Diniz Borges and Katharine Baker. |
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PHCS President Terri White
presents Álamo Oliveira a box of – what else? –
chocolates. Álamo confessed to the audience that, unlike the book’s main
character, he really DOES like
chocolates! |
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Guitarist
Julia Borba receives compliments from Alvarinho Clementino
and
Delminda Rodrigues.
Bob and Marília
Wiget listen intently as Hélio Beirão plays a 15-string
Azorean viola da terra. |
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Left to right (foreground):
From Tulare,
Nivéria and Diniz Borges; from Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Álamo Oliveira;
(2nd row)
Delminda Rodrigues and Portuguese Heritage Publications President
José Rodrigues (in cap).
Evelyn Taylor
looks on as novelist Álamo Oliveira signs a copy of I No
Longer Like Chocolates for her at the autograph table. |
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Translator
Diniz Borges
and PHCS Vice President Marília Coquim Wiget addressed
the audience, and read excerpts from the English translation of Álamo
Oliveira's novel I No Longer Like Chocolates.
Napa poet Maria das Dores
Beirão
recites a poem by Álamo Oliveira. |
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SACRAMENTO “CHOCOLATES” EVENT A SUCCESS
by Marília Coquim
Wiget, O Progresso
Portuguese
Historical and Cultural Society of Sacramento was host to the final
appearance of Álamo Oliveira on his book launch tour of California. In
collaboration with
Cabrillo Civic Club No. 5 and the American-Portuguese
Club Ladies Auxiliary, PHCS provided an afternoon of delicious
appetizers and light entertainment while focusing on the work of Álamo
Oliveira with readings from the English version of his novel, I No
Longer Like Chocolates [Já não gosto de chocolates].
Following PHCS President Terri White's opening remarks, Dr. Diniz Borges
(Conselheiro das
Comunidades and professor of Portuguese Language and
Culture) explained the premise behind the book and its translation into
English by Dra. Katharine Baker and himself. Borges and Marília Wiget (PHCS
vice-president, and a Director on the Board of Portuguese Heritage
Publications) read passages of the book prior to Álamo Oliveira's
heartfelt “thanks” to the translators for their hard work and keeping to
the true spirit and intent of his work.
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In his novel, Oliveira strives to recognize the heroism of those who
came to this country in search of a better future. “I believe,” stated
Oliveira, “that if one was to analyze the current state of progress in
the Azores, one must look at the lessons of courage, hard work,
solidarity and culture that the Azorean immigrants and their descendants
were able to transmit to those who stayed behind.”
Prior to autographing books for purchasers, Oliveira was feted with a
surprise performance from his good friends from Napa, Mr. and Mrs.
Hélio
Beirão. Maria das Dores Beirão, an accomplished poet in her own right,
read one of Oliveira's poems, and David and Julia Borba accompanied Mr.
Beirão playing several melodies on Portuguese guitars. Also performing
were youth dancers from the Luso-American Youth Group, Sacramento, under
direction of Judy Teixeira.
Portuguese Heritage Publications of California was represented by
President José Rodrigues who provided an array of books published by
PHCP, Inc., in addition to I No Longer Like Chocolates, which is
one in the “Décima Ilha” series of publications.
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Amelia Azevedo
and Marie Dutra Gambrel pose with their new copies of
the novel.
Left to right:
An unidentified gentleman chats with
Hélio Beirão and Raul Lima.
Maria Marshall,
Gui Sequeira and Rosa Fernandes are all smiles over their
new books. |
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Left to right: Musicians David
Borba, Julia Borba and Hélio Beirão entertain with
several pieces of Azorean music on traditional Portuguese guitars.
Aileen Alves
Gage and Barbara Azevedo peruse the
book selection from Portuguese Heritage Publications. |
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A troupe of young
dancers from the
Luso-American
Fraternal Federation Youth Council #4, Sacramento, under the
direction of Judy Teixeira, entertain the audience with a selection of Azorean folk
dances.
Junior dancers join the adults in
an Azorean folk dance.
Translator
Diniz Borges
converses with Bernadette Nunes. |
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Below left: PHCS
President Terri White and Dolores Silva Greenslate
help prepare refreshments for the reception.
Below
right: Isaura Valim
(l. foreground)
and Scott Ingraham (r. background) admire the wide array of offerings at the buffet table, including
many Azorean dishes. |
