🌍 Stories of the Hong Kong Portuguese – a title you don’t often hear, but what a visual feast this exhibition was. That's thanks to the passion of guest curator Fernando da Roza and contributors like Ruy Barretto, combined with the impeccable taste of the Hong Kong Museum of History, namely curator Humphrey Yuen, and support from the Hong Kong Gov.
As a dear friend said, "not many people understand the importance of the Portuguese community in Hong Kong". With roots dating back to the early days of our city, their contributions tell tales of both struggle and success. Take JP Braga - ever heard of the Braga Circuit? That was him helping the Kadoorie family buy it back in the day. Among the many feats of “Sonny” Sales GBM (passed away aged 100 in 2020), he personally negotiated the release of the HK athletes taken hostage during the 1972 Munich Olympics. Another, Sir Roger Lobo, a Macau-born entrepreneur, famous for the Lobo Motion, seeking to have the fate of Hong Kong discussed among its elected representatives.
The exhibition is part of the Multifaceted Hong Kong series, showcasing the rich tapestry of the city’s culture. After eight years of hard work and some serious family archive raiding, it's a great tribute to the “mestizo-branco” community.
Also fascinating is the evolution of the Lusitano Club, still standing today - a testament to the resilience of the Portuguese community in Hong Kong. A shoutout to President Patrick Rozario and the General Committee for hosting the delighful luncheon thereafter (prepared by chef Fabio!), and those utterly dedicated to preserving and furthering this history, like Anthony Correa.Â