Lowell marks Portugal Day with flag raising, honors language school and veteran community leader
June 12, 2026 | Lowell City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Lowell celebrated Portugal Day on June 10 with a flag‑raising ceremony, official proclamations and awards recognizing the city’s Portuguese American community.
Susanna Martins, the event’s master of ceremonies, opened the evening and invited Father Luiz Fernand Luig to lead an opening prayer in Portuguese. “May the Lord bless you and keep you,” Father Luig said during his prayer, and attendees applauded after the blessing.
Mayor Eric Gier addressed the crowd, calling the Portuguese flag “a symbol of a proud nation” and praising Portuguese Americans for their “dedication, entrepreneurship and civic involvement” in Lowell. The mayor invited Councilor McDunner to read a city proclamation declaring June 10 as Portugal Day in Lowell and encouraging residents to participate in events honoring Portuguese heritage.
Organizers presented a special recognition to the Lowell Portuguese Language School on its 10th anniversary. The program noted that the school opened in 2015 and has worked to teach language and culture to children and adults; the mayor and presenters highlighted student performances and urged families to enroll in language classes.
City councilor Rita Mercier thanked veterans and local public‑safety staff for supporting the event and praised the presence of families and youth. State Senator Vanna Howard delivered greetings on behalf of the Massachusetts Senate and said the Senate extended congratulations to Lowell for 46 years of these community celebrations.
The ceremony also honored 96‑year‑old honoree Louise Gomes for a lifetime of service as a musician, bilingual educator and community volunteer. Speakers recounted Gomes’s early musical training in the Azores, his work helping Portuguese‑speaking residents navigate services, and his role in founding and leading local Portuguese musical groups.
The program closed with organizers Anelise Brown, Stephanie Melo and Aaron Nichols thanking volunteers and inviting attendees to refreshments at the Blues Club.
Why it matters: Lowell’s Portugal Day program highlights ongoing local efforts to preserve Portuguese language and culture through education, intergenerational events and civic recognition. Officials used the ceremony to spotlight the Lowell Portuguese Language School’s decade of teaching and to acknowledge long‑time community leaders who helped build the city’s Portuguese American institutions.
Susanna Martins, the event’s master of ceremonies, opened the evening and invited Father Luiz Fernand Luig to lead an opening prayer in Portuguese. “May the Lord bless you and keep you,” Father Luig said during his prayer, and attendees applauded after the blessing.
Mayor Eric Gier addressed the crowd, calling the Portuguese flag “a symbol of a proud nation” and praising Portuguese Americans for their “dedication, entrepreneurship and civic involvement” in Lowell. The mayor invited Councilor McDunner to read a city proclamation declaring June 10 as Portugal Day in Lowell and encouraging residents to participate in events honoring Portuguese heritage.
Organizers presented a special recognition to the Lowell Portuguese Language School on its 10th anniversary. The program noted that the school opened in 2015 and has worked to teach language and culture to children and adults; the mayor and presenters highlighted student performances and urged families to enroll in language classes.
City councilor Rita Mercier thanked veterans and local public‑safety staff for supporting the event and praised the presence of families and youth. State Senator Vanna Howard delivered greetings on behalf of the Massachusetts Senate and said the Senate extended congratulations to Lowell for 46 years of these community celebrations.
The ceremony also honored 96‑year‑old honoree Louise Gomes for a lifetime of service as a musician, bilingual educator and community volunteer. Speakers recounted Gomes’s early musical training in the Azores, his work helping Portuguese‑speaking residents navigate services, and his role in founding and leading local Portuguese musical groups.
The program closed with organizers Anelise Brown, Stephanie Melo and Aaron Nichols thanking volunteers and inviting attendees to refreshments at the Blues Club.
Why it matters: Lowell’s Portugal Day program highlights ongoing local efforts to preserve Portuguese language and culture through education, intergenerational events and civic recognition. Officials used the ceremony to spotlight the Lowell Portuguese Language School’s decade of teaching and to acknowledge long‑time community leaders who helped build the city’s Portuguese American institutions.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
