In a series of articles about integration within the Algarve we have looked at how people from a wide variety of backgrounds work and live with each other here. This week the focus has been on what opportunities there are for people to meet like-minded people and get involved within a unique community.
By Emma Bertenshaw
emma.bertenshaw@theresidentgroup.com
There are numerous ways in which a new resident can become involved in the community, with many people using English as their first language and others being bilingual in Portuguese and other European languages.
The climate and location makes the Algarve ideal for all types of sports and outdoor activities but in Portugal football is something that spectators become very actively involved in.
Chris Wright joined Sporting Club Olhanese a number of years ago and has actively promoted and contributed to its support with an ever-growing expatriate fan club.
Chris said: “It is more than just football. We have barbeques and trips to away games where we go out to dinner together.”
Young and old are attracted to the family atmosphere at the club, which now has an expat following of more than 250 members, including a number of international members who come to the Algarve specifically for matches.
Member Pam Pardo agrees it is something special: “The camaraderie between the Portuguese and expats is quite unique.”
As well as providing a strong bond socially, the club is actively involved in charity, helping to raise €1,200 for the Madeira floods relief two years ago and for the club mascot, who visits children in hospital, orphanages and schools.
The development of charitable activities is a common thread linked with many expat associations and clubs in the area ,and proves to be a good way of giving back to local and national causes.
This is slowly but surely building into strong links with the community and education.
Catrin George explained how ALFA – the Association of Literature and Film Friends of the Algarve mainly attracts expats but that they have developed opportunities for local schools to benefit from their activities.
“We have had good success with Portuguese teachers bringing their students to our literature events. We would like to be able to offer more next year,” said Catrin.
ALFA started with German-speaking residents but now also offers English-language events once a month.
There are also film nights in German, with Portuguese subtitles, which the association is looking to expand.
“We are a non-profit organisation but try to make our events affordable and accessible to a wide variety of people,” said Catrin.
Most expats show a strong interest in learning about and promoting Portuguese cultural interests, such as the Archaeological Association of the Algarve (AAA) which was initiated by expats during the 80s who found the subject was neglected at the time.
The association now has around 130 members and chairman Florian Furmann says that many of their members have lived abroad before
“It is striking how many couples in the AAA consist of different nationalities. And most of our members have at least led part of their working life away from their home country.”
Larry Hampton is president of the Algarve Wine Society, which has 220 members.
The majority (two thirds of the club) are British but the rest are again an international mix.
With a combination of black tie dinners and planned trips to vineyards in Portugal and further afield (South Africa in 2012), they are so popular that there is a two year waiting list.
“While our members have a serious interest in wine and the good things in life that usually accompany it, the social aspect of our society is equally important.”
The Algarve Resident would like to hear from readers who may have their own point of view on the subject of integration. Email Editor Inês Lopes at ines.lopes@theresidentgroup.com
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