Portugal Day

Portugal Day History

Portugal Day celebrates the death of Portugal’s national literary icon, Luís de Camões. De Camões is considered to be the greatest poet and writer in Portugal and of the Portuguese language. He has been compared to William Shakespeare in his mastery of the language while his literary masterpiece, Os Lusiadas (The Lusiads), has become a famed Portuguese poem and an icon of Portuguese literature.

Portugal Day is celebrated on 10 June. The day marks the passing of Luís de Camões in 1580. Since 1641, Portugal Day has been celebrated annually to commemorate the life and works of Portugal’s literary hero.

Top facts about Portugal Day

• Some of Luís de Camões most ambitious poetry, The Parnasum of Luís de Camões, was lost during his lifetime. There is a great amount of his work that the modern poet enthusiast will never be able to enjoy.
• In 1580, Portugal was conquered by Spain. De Camões’ works and Portugal Day could then only become a holiday when the nation regained its independence in 1640.
• Many of the details of Luís de Camões are not known. For example, his birthday is unconfirmed and his birth place is also unknown, though Lisbon, Coimbra and Alenquer are the most common presumptions.
• Portugal is one of the oldest European countries. It was originally founded in 1128, making it one of the oldest European nations still in existence today.
• I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty. – Edgar Allan Poe, American Writer.

In the News and Trending in the EU for Portugal Day

Portugal Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Read the Os Lusiadas, an epic poem written by Luís de Camões. It is considered one of the most important works in Portuguese literature and an example of Luís de Camões finest writing. The poem depicts Portugal’s world explorations and its golden era in the 16th century.
• Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtags #PortugalDay, #DeCamoes, #OsLusiadas and #DiadePortugal.
• Watch a movie about Luís de Camões and Portugal. Some of our favourites are Luís Vaz de Camões (2007) and Camões (1946).
• Visit the statue of Luís de Camões in the town of Constância. It is considered a possible birthplace for the late poet but it is also a popular tourist attraction and place to celebrate Portugal Day.
• Read a book about Portugal’s long history of exploration, the topic behind the Os Lusiadas poem. Some of our favourites are: Portugal: A Companion History, The History of Portugal, and The Portuguese Empire 1415-1808: A World on the Move.