Portugal Rising...

The Portuguese where some of the greatest sailors in the history of world discovery, pushing the envelope of trade and conquest to new heights over the past 500 years. So it isn't suprising that a little bit of precipitation wouldn't blow the annual Portugal Day celebration too far off course.

The rain pelted down at times outside the Galt Arena on Shade Street where the players of the Portuguese community were idling their cultural engines. Their bright costumes reflecting their love for tradition, music and family. Celebration is the poetry of every day living. In fact, Portugal Day is very much about poetry and adventure.

Luis de Camoes

The Portugal National Day, also known as Camoes Day, and Dia de Portugal in the native tongue, is celebrated on June 10 every year. Luis de Camoes was a great Portuguese poet and adventurer who died on June 10, 1580. If you are wondering why the Portuguese celebrate their national day on the date he died, it’s because his birth date is not known. Although Camoes is known for his colonial achievements, in contemporary Portugal the celebrations encompass inclusive liberal values. Being a national holiday, this day is rapt with cultural celebrations that include parades, orchestras, fireworks and open-air get-togethers. People come on the roads and greet each other, and even if nothing special is being organized, they simply enjoy the day eating, drinking, singing songs and participating in fun sports. According to Portuguese citizens: Portugal Day is a day to remember your roots, get together and party. Listen to Portuguese music, drink a glass of port, visit a Portuguese restaurant or read The Lusiads. Lusiads is Portugal's national epic poem celebrating Portuguese history and achievements, penned by Luis de Camoes.

This weekend was very much about the Portuguese love of celebration and hanging out with each other and eating tremendous amounts of fabulous food of pork beef and seafood.

Cambridge Now! attended this year's parade to take a few photos of the participants.

Below: Statue of Luis de Camoes