Portugal Day 2019

Today’s Doodle celebrates Dia de Portugal, when this country on the coast of the Iberian peninsula celebrates its history, its people, and its great national poet Luís de Camões, author of the epic Os Lusíadas, published in 1572. Relating the tale of Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama’s search for a trade route to India, the poem stands as a tribute to Portugal’s proud history of seafaring exploration.

This is a perfect occasion to visit the Luis de Camões monument in Lisbon, or the bridge named for Da Gama—at over 10 miles in length, it is the longest bridge in Europe. All over the country—from the bustling city streets of Lisbon to the canals of Aveiro to the island of Madeira, as well as the expatriate communities of Brazil, Canada, England, and the U.S.—Portuguese citizens take time out to remember their shared history and spend quality time with family and friends.

The President of Portugal attends the official celebration, held in a different city each year. There are parades, fireworks, concerts, and outdoor celebrations featuring singing, dancing, and plenty of Portugal’s national dish, bacalhau. Dried, salted cod first became popular with sailors as a way of keeping their catch safe for the journey home. One of the most popular ways to serve it is Bacalhau à Brás: codfish mixed with eggs, potatoes, olives, garlic, and onions. Paired with a glass of vinho do Porto, the country’s famous fortified wine, this is the essence of Portuguese cuisine.

Feliz Dia de Portugal!

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Take a tour around the world with poet Luís Vaz de Camões and his iconic work Os Lusíadas on Google Arts & Culture.

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