Dand according to the organizing committee, the program of celebrations will last for a year in honor of the pioneers who arrived at the wharf of “Pier 21” in Halifax, Canada, on May 13, 1953.

The celebrations on May 13 and 14 “will feature various groups and artists, including Mariza, Pedro Abrunhosa and Bárbara Bandeira”, will also be recognized and included in the Walk of Celebrities Luso-Canadians who make a difference, in view of the future Magellan Center, the first residence exclusively for Portuguese seniors”, underlines the press release.

Funds raised will go to the Magellan Community Foundation.

Centro Magalhães will be the first Portuguese-speaking long-term care home for the elderly, with 350 beds, will provide social housing for the community and will also be a social gathering center for the community.

“For the first time, the Portuguese community will welcome the public to Toronto’s City Hall plaza, Nathan Phillips Square, sharing a gastronomic, cultural and musical experience for people over the age of 19.

Several members of the community are part of the commission, including businessman Manuel da Costa, Anabela Taborda, Angie Câmara, Bela Cumberbatch, Bernardino Ferreira, Bon Falcone, Jorge Ribeiro, Maria João Dodman, Matthew Correia and Tânia Barbosa.

The Commission will continue to organize events throughout the year to mark 70 years of official Portuguese immigration to Canada.

Portuguese associations in Canada are also encouraged to organize events to mark the anniversary, before or after May 13 and 14, and more information can be obtained from the website 70anoscanada.com.

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