Successful International Symposium Commemorating the 190th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Portuguese: From Madeira to Guyana, 1835-2025

On May 25, 2025, the Historical Research International Inc. hosted a successful International Symposium Commemorating the 190^th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Portuguese: From Madeira to Guyana, 1835-2025. It was held virtually via zoom and attracted over 200 registrants from across the world.

It was an academic symposium with presentations by Professor Cristiana Bastos (University of Lisbon, Portugal), Professor Vibert Cambridge (Professor Emeritus, Ohio University, USA), Professor Valerie Lopes (Seneca College, Canada), Professor Kimani Nehusi (Temple University, Philadelphia, USA), and Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves (Managing Director, Historical Research International Inc., Canada). Speakers presented their research on Portuguese Migration to Guyana; the Contributions of the Portuguese to Music in Guyana, Political Participation of the Portuguese in 19^th Century British Guiana, Fernandes Family History, and the Portuguese in Business in Guyana.

From the 1830s, Madeira had experienced hardships due to the Portuguese civil war and subsequently, the Madeiran potato famine of 1847. British Guiana (now Guyana) sought new labour from 1834, after the period of African enslavement ended. As a result, many from Madeira sought to migrate to Guyana (then British Guiana).

Dr. Collins-Gonsalves noted that “over the years, the Portuguese have contributed tremendously to Guyana, in the areas of business, culture, and music among other aspects. While their numbers have dwindled over the years, due to migration in the 20^th century, their contributions are still noted and celebrated. During the 19^th century, there were strong ties to mainland Portugal as well as Madeira, but this has changed as time passed.” She continued that “Guyana is a multicultural society, and the Portuguese have been recognised along with other citizens, the culture and food of the Portuguese have been incorporated into the national dishes of Guyana including garlic pork, bolo de mel, and malassadas. May 3 is officially recognised in Guyana as Portuguese Arrival Day.”

As the Founder and Managing Director of Historical Research International Inc., Dr. Joanne Collins-Gonsalves sought to commemorate this historic milestone by organizing an academic symposium to mark the occasion of a 190 years of the presence of the Portuguese in Guyana. Dr. Collins-Gonsalves noted that “as an historian and an expert on the Portuguese in Guyana, it is important for the 190^th anniversary of the Portuguese arrival in Guyana be remembered and that that new and existing studies on their contributions in the areas of business, music, culture, politics, and migrations studies be shared internationally.”

On the aspect of Portugal and Guyana collaborations and relations, Dr. Collins-Gonsalves noted that there can be “additional academic exchanges and research collaborations, language and cultural programs, as well as the celebration of festivals.” Dr. Collins-Gonsalves holds a PhD, she is an Academic Historian and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (RHS). She has authored over thirty (30) research projects, academic articles, book chapters, research papers, conference papers, and biographical profiles in total. Dr. Collins-Gonsalves is currently the Managing Director of the Historical Research International Inc. (Cananda). She serves on the Board of the Edmonton Heritage Council, the Advisory Board of the Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, among other posts.