Phrases and songs sung out proudly in Portuguese filled the city council chambers and the outer plaza at East Providence City Hall on Monday, as the city set the scene for the upcoming Day of Portugal festivities with a flag raising ceremony.

The Day of Portugal (celebrated on June 10 around the world) is an international holiday commemorating the death of Portuguese poet, Luís Vaz de Camões. Rhode Island Day of Portugal, the nonprofit that helps organize the annual, local celebrations, will hold their annual festival on June 7 and 8 at the 195 District Park in Providence. The parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, with a ceremony outside the State House.

Mayor Bob DaSilva, who talked at the ceremony about his own Portuguese heritage and growing up in a Portuguese neighborhood within the Fox Point area of Providence, said that Rhode Island and East Providence, specifically, have historically been home to one of the largest concentrations of Portuguese immigrants and descendants in the world — as nearly 23% of East Providence residents have some Portuguese heritage within them.

“According to data, about 10,733 residents of East Providence have some type of Portuguese connection, some type of Portuguese ancestry,” he said. “Portuguese Americans represent 7% of the state of Rhode Island's population, which is a large number. So that's important.”

James Ferreira, President of the RI Day of Portugal, expanded on the influence of those people.

“Since the 1870s generations of Portuguese families, many from the Azores, came here in search of opportunity and a better life. And what a lasting impact they've made,” he said. “From industries like fishing and textiles to our vibrant neighborhoods, music, and food, Portuguese hands and hearts have helped shape the very identity of East Providence, and we can see it all throughout Rhode Island.”

Orlando Mateus, Chairman of the Board for RI Day of Portugal, urged Portuguese Rhode Islanders to get involved with the group, holding up a license plate that is now available from the Rhode Island DMV that honors Day of Portugal.

“For close to seven years we’ve been promoting this, and we finally got it into production this year. I’m proud to say on June 7, those who have pre-ordered will be picking it up at the festival,” he said, saying around 157 plates will be dispersed.

Mateus said that all input and volunteering efforts would be helpful, and welcome.

“Whatever ideas you may have, whatever criticism you have, let us know,” he said. “Because with that, we can grow. And we need to grow. We need more participation.”

Outside, following the speaking portion of the event, Parade Grand Marshals Marcia Sousa Da Ponte and Lina Cabral raised the Portuguese and Azores flags high above City Hall. With a mixture of people all attending to help celebrate the event, the comments earlier from Ferreira held especially true.

“This celebration doesn't belong to one group or one moment,” he said. “It belongs to all of us.”