A moment eagerly awaited by visitors as more than 350 meals were served. President Américo da Silva Cohna took advantage of this event to invite the presidents of the Portuguese associations of Saint-Claude, Oyonnax, Maurice, Lon-le-Saunier and Bellegarde, as well as Grégoire Long, the mayor of the city, Marie-Christine. Daloz, Viceroy of Jura, and Andre Sobral Cordero, Consul General of Portugal in León. Meeting with the President of America.
How long has the Portuguese Mararantine Association existed?
“The association was created on May 12, 1997 at the initiative of a group of Portuguese friends living in Moirans-en-Montagne. This community wanted to come together and create links between Portuguese, but not only. At first, they settled in a small room at the entrance to the town and then they moved to Downtown awaiting assembly building in 1999.
Well located opposite the Sports Hall, the Portuguese Association is developing a children’s play area on its grounds, a pétanque court, and recently covering the outside for terrace enjoyment. »
Who surrounds you in this association?
“I’ve been president for six years but have been a member of the bureau for eighteen years. I can count on my team of eighteen and the volunteers who are always there. We are open on weekends but can no longer serve meals every Saturday as we used to before.
My team might be helpful, but they’re exhausted and I want to keep them around. We therefore prefer to be present at special events such as the Sardine Evening, the BBQ Evening, Mother’s Day, the Association Forum, Idéklic, the Cod Evening and, this year, the start of the Tour de France. »
Is mobilizing people complicated?
“The old members of the association are spending their time eagerly but I would like the younger people to participate. This is the future of the association. For three years, I have wanted to give up my position as president but no one wants to, and I will never leave without making sure that succession is assured. We have succeeded in Creating a young football team that participates in various tournaments in the sector, but this is not enough. We always have plans to attract them, and we do our best and do not give up. I know that the municipality supports us strongly and this is very reassuring.”
Moirans-en-Montagne – towards the consular offices in Moirans-en-Montagne?
André Sobral Cordero has been Consul General of Portugal in Leon since August 20211. He is a career diplomat and has held several posts abroad, including in Brazil, Angola, China and France. At the invitation of the President of the Portuguese Society, he responded by visiting the Society and discovering the headquarters of Moirantin.
“I’m hearing only great things about this union, and looking at the people in attendance this evening, it’s a joy and reflects the work done by this great team. We are in discussions with Moirans-en-Montagne to organize the consulate’s opening hours here on site. There are no offices in the Jura People have to go to Lyon…it is complicated for some.”
