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.
Portuguese Food Festival
22 August – 26 August 2024
People’s Park, St Helier
Come and have a chat with the Project Luso Research Team. We will be at the festival on Saturday 24 August only. Find us at the Jersey Youth Service marquee.
Help us shape the future – take part in our research
We’re excited to have a presence at the Portuguese Food Festival this year and begin our research for Project Luso.
We aim to explore and celebrate Portuguese life and culture in Jersey. Equally, we 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.
The Project Luso Research Team hopes to speak 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.
Our researchers will be on hand to provide more information and answer your questions. You can complete our short, anonymous survey on paper with a member of the team, or complete the survey here.