Dear Sir/Madam, – It was with astonishment that I perused Edward Lennon’s piece regarding Portugal (“The prevalent mood of Portuguese swings from melancholy, sullenness to irascibility”, Overseas, 3rd October). He relentlessly criticises Portugal and its populace. While his remarks held some intrigue, I found his interpretation and subsequent conclusions incongruous with my personal experiences and those of my Irish acquaintances residing in Portugal.
It’s crucial not to mistake any apparent despondency with the concept of “saudade”, a distinctively Portuguese strand of yearning and imaginative fatalism.
Scoring less in terms of individualism and ambition isn’t inherently negative. In reality, these qualities can be admirable, particularly within a communal environment.
The author unfavourably juxtaposes the character traits of the Portuguese with the alleged “globally renowned personality, vitality and wit” of the Irish. Oh dear!
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Are we being a tad overconfident? We could certainly benefit from some Portuguese modesty and reticence.
However, Portugal’s situation might not be as bleak as suggested. After all, your contributing writer has opted to reside in Portugal for the last five years, he had an opportunity to depart during the pandemic, yet he opted to return.
Has he inadvertently succumbed to the allure of the nation and its inhabitants, despite his criticisms? Yours sincerely,
CIARÁN MAC GUILL,
Clichy, France.