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The JCRT is proud to announce the launch of Project Luso. The Project is an independent initiative to study Portuguese life in Jersey and celebrate Portuguese culture. Through our research we aim to better understand the challenges that face the Portuguese community in Jersey; to raise awareness; and create meaningful relationships and pathways.
Over the next 12 months, we aim to
- celebrate and promote Portuguese culture in Jersey,
- document and raise awareness of the stories of the Portuguese community,
- understand and address the challenges of the Portuguese members of the Jersey community,
- facilitate and support the integration of the Portuguese community in Jersey.
Portuguese history and heritage in Jersey
Jersey is a multicultural and multi-lingual society; something as an Island that we advocate and celebrate. The JCRT aims to promote inclusivity and equality, and encourages good relations for all members of Jersey’s community to live, work and thrive.
Through communication, connections and understanding the different communities that make up our Island, we can enrich our choices, create opportunities and provide new perspective.
The 2021 Jersey census reported approximately 8,000 Jersey residents born in Portugal and 9,700 identifying as ethnically Portuguese. Informal estimates, however, suggest there are approximately 16,000 Portuguese speakers, highlighting a significant cultural presence in the Island.
It is believed the first Portuguese migrants arrived in the Island circa 1937, mainly from Madeira. Many worked in hospitality and on farms. Today, the Portuguese community is employed in much more diverse industries including construction, law, finance and utilities.
“The first Madeiran man arrived in Jersey in 1937 or 1938 and since then we have had very strong connections with the Portuguese community who come to Jersey to work”. Dr Albuquerque, Mayor of Funchal, 2012.
The soft launch of Project Luso got off to a great start, and where better to have begun than at the Portuguese Food Festival.
We were delighted to have a presence at the Portuguese Food Festival this year and begin our research for Project Luso.
Selina Zenonos, JCRT Vice Chair and Project Luso lead said:
“We had some wonderful conversations with the people at the festival who took the time to go through our short survey with us, and we have been delighted with the response over the weekend to the online survey.
66 surveys completed
to date (August 2024)
This is a promising start, and we hope that with this material data we can begin to understand key issues affecting the Portuguese Jersey community. This data will also help to shape our focus groups that we aim to hold over the autumn and winter.
It means a great deal to us that people are sharing their experiences and thoughts. We’re also very grateful to all the volunteers, with special thanks to Jersey Youth Service for hosting us under their marquee and all their support; and to artist Kelly Eastwood whose tile painting project brought a flourish of creativity and colour to the day.”
As we explore and celebrate Portuguese life and culture in Jersey, we also aim to better understand the challenges and barriers the Portuguese community has faced in relation to equality, integration and social cohesion, and to highlight the unique contribution Jersey’s Portuguese community makes to island life.
122 surveys completed
to date (November 2024)
The Project Luso Research Team have extended their scope and are working in partnership with students from a number of schools from around the Island.
“We’ve had the absolute privilege to work in partnership with students from local schools to hear about their experience growing up in Jersey. The students really immersed themselves in communicating with us and answering our questions in Portuguese. We found the experience profoundly moving and insightful.”
JCRT is proud to be working in partnership with the Jersey Youth Service. The JYS values the diversity of the youngsters using their services and places importance on nurturing culture and language. During Youth Work Week (November 2024), we had the opportunity to engage with youngsters to help with our research. As well as activities and crafts, youngsters were able to explore language, culture, traditions, food and books.
Help us shape the future – take part in our research
The Project Luso Research Team are continuing to reach out to as many people to help document life in Jersey. We want to hear your thoughts on how we can showcase and celebrate Portuguese daily life and culture in Jersey and better understand the challenges the Portuguese community may face, living and working in Jersey.
Your thoughts and views are valuable to us as they will help shape our future conversations, events and celebrations, as well as directly inform our research.
Islanders with a Portuguese background are still being invited to complete the survey.
If you would like to participate in our confidential focus groups, please email us at [email protected]
Thank you to our community partners, supporters and stakeholders.
