There is no single way to live through retirement. There are those who view it as a well-deserved homecoming, and those who simply refuse to stop. These two stories, told in the first person, show both sides of the coin.

José Silva worked for 34 years without missing a single day. When the time came, he walked away without looking back and made his home and his wife the center of his life. Deafness distanced him from music and socializing, but he insists he never let it get him down: surrounded by books, crossword puzzles, and walks in the backyard, he says he is happy to finally be home.

Maria Melo, on the other hand, never truly felt retired. She took care of her grandchildren, danced in the folklore group, helped build the Associação Cultural do Minho, where she remains on the board of directors and today spends her days doing handicrafts and painting at Abrigo. “Staying at home, for me, is an illness,” she summarizes.

Two different paths, one shared lesson: retirement is best experienced when it is chosen, fulfilled, and shared with those we love most.

Retirement lived at home

Milénio Stadium: When you thought about retiring, what plan did you have for this new phase of your life?

José Silva: I worked for 34 years: 12 at one company and 22 at another. I never missed a day of work. But at the last place, there were people I didn’t like, so when they told me I could retire and receive the company pension, I didn’t hesitate. When I left, it felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. After that, I never wanted to go back. They invited me to return at Christmas and on other occasions, but I didn’t want to see those people who only caused problems.

When I made plans to retire, it was to be with my wife. So wherever she goes, I go too. When she goes out, I always go with her; I don’t like her going anywhere alone.

And I help out a lot around the house. I don’t know how to cook, but when she makes soup, I chop the cabbage, peel the potatoes… I help with everything.

I spent a lot of time away, and now I want to be with her. And I love it when our children and grandchildren come over to the house. I enjoy all of that, being right here like this.

MS: What about meeting up with friends to chat?

JS: Not that, because I don’t hear well. I have a hearing aid, but even so, I still struggle to hear. I don’t like going to anyone’s house because sometimes they’re talking and I can’t understand what they’re saying.

MS: Your life was very full, not only at the companies where you worked, but also through your connection to music: rehearsals, performances, busy weekends. Did your hearing loss affect you deeply?

JS: I used to play music; now I can’t even listen to music anymore. Sometimes I go to see my son play, and I think it’s wonderful to see him working on the guitar, but I don’t know what he’s playing. Because of that, I don’t really like going to certain places.

MS: What about practicing sports or doing some form of physical activity?

JS: We have a large yard around the house with plenty of grass and trees, and I go for walks out there. Sometimes I go for a walk by myself just to boost my mood.

MS: How do you fill the rest of your time?

JS: I like to read. I have Portuguese books, and my wife sometimes buys different books that I also enjoy reading. I do crossword puzzles and things like that to keep myself entertained. And I like watching television; if the TV has any issues, I get upset!

MS: Did you ever feel depressed about stopping work after so many years?

JS: No, no, I was never like that. I’m happy because I’m home. I like being at home, and that’s all there is to it.

MS: In other words, you didn’t let retirement get you down?

JS: No, no. I’m good, and I’m happy.

Stop? I can’t stop!

Milénio Stadium: You have been retired for several years. What changed in your life when you stopped working?

Maria Melo: I retired at the right age, but I was never truly retired. After I stopped working, I took care of my young grandchildren. It wasn’t for money; it was to help the family. And that was already a job in itself, perhaps even harder than going out to work: taking them to school, picking them up, taking them to the park, feeding them.

Even back then, on weekends I would go to the Associação Cultural do Minho, where I was part of the folklore dance group (rancho). I even brought my granddaughters along. The eldest, Jéssica, stayed with the group until she was almost 19.

MS: Did you ever think about just staying home?

MM: I never thought about it. I can’t stop. Sometimes, when I feel tired, I say to myself: “I’ll only rest when I die.” I like having my house organized, every little thing in its place. But staying home, for me, is an illness. It’s not good for your health.

Right at the beginning, I went to learn how to make Arraiolos rugs and handicrafts with some women who were teaching it. I was always busy, socializing and learning new things.

MS: What about your husband?

MM: He always used to go to the association with me. Now he’s unwell, but he comes with me to Abrigo, and I go more days now because it does him good too. He’s more distracted there, does crossword puzzles, and has peers his own age to talk to. At home, he’s always talking to me about the same things. It’s not like going out and seeing different people.

MS: And how do you spend your time there?

MM: I also have my quiet moments to rest my mind. But at Abrigo, we’re rarely idle. We do handicrafts, decorate the room, and stay constantly entertained. And I love painting, I love colors and creating different things.

MS: Are you still involved with the Associação Cultural do Minho?

MM: I’m on the board of directors. There were very few years when I wasn’t. I danced in the rancho, and I participate in the rusga (traditional folklore group). I like helping, and I like seeing things move forward. We bought our building when I was already on the board; we paid it off, and today we have handicrafts, traditional drums (bombos), accordions (concertinas), everything. It wasn’t easy. Before we had our own building, we used to move around rented halls, and sometimes it would be four or five in the morning and we’d be carrying large cooking pots on our backs. But, thank God, we made it.

My husband helped a lot too. At the company where he worked, where he eventually became a manager, he raised a lot of money among his colleagues for the association and paid for Christmas toys for the children.

MS: What advice would you give to someone who is entering retirement right now?

MM: I always advise people to leave the house and go to the centers: Abrigo or others within our Portuguese community, or even in other communities, like the Spanish one. It’s good to socialize with different people. It does wonders for the mind. Some people dance, some play bingo, some play cards. And you go back home feeling completely happy.

Madalena Balça/MS

Portuguese culture and solidarity took center stage at the Festival of Hope, an event that brought the community together for an evening of celebration and raised $1.8 million for the Luso Canadian Charitable Society.

Presented by LiUNA Local 183, the event aimed to support Luso’s supportive housing project, designed to provide greater security, independence, and quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Portuguese music, gastronomy, and traditions brought the event to life, with one of the highlights being a performance by Gipsy’s Kings Way featuring Pablo Reyes, who energized the crowd with their infectious rhythms.

Beyond the festivities, however, there was an urgent mission: responding to families concerned about their children’s futures.

Jack Prazeres, president of the Luso Canadian Charitable Society, emphasized the collective effort that made the initiative possible: “This is a historic night, the result of joint work between LiUNA Local 183, our partners, the Luso team, and over 60 volunteers. The most important thing is raising the necessary funds to help the families who need it most.”

The project also has the support of the Government of Ontario, which provided $16 million toward its realization.

Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, highlighted the importance of this investment and expressed his desire to attend the future building’s grand opening: “We are proud to support the extraordinary work that Luso does for the people who need it most. Our government provided $16 million to support this project. I can’t wait to be at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.”

Solidarity was also demonstrated through individual acts of generosity. One of the most memorable moments was the donation of a motorcycle on behalf of the Belas family for fundraising purposes. Two buyers competed for the vehicle, which ultimately raised $102,000.

Donor Fernanda Belas explained the motivation behind the gesture: “It was a motorcycle my husband treasured deeply. After his passing, I decided to donate it to Luso, an institution that was very special to both of us. The motorcycle was auctioned off for $102,000, an amount that makes me very happy to be able to help this cause.”

For Heather Grand, executive director of Luso, “the festival represents hope for families who have been waiting years for a housing solution for their children with disabilities.”

The project seeks to address an urgent need by promoting greater independence and peace of mind for residents and their families.

With $1.8 million raised, the Festival of Hope demonstrated the community’s ability to unite around a common cause while clearly showcasing the power of solidarity—contributing to a more inclusive and dignified future with greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families.

FP/MS

The content on the Milénio Stadium website is automatically translated using Google Translate.

The LiUNA! Local 183 Industry Awareness Event 2026 brought together professionals, companies, and partners to celebrate training achievements, introduce new technologies, and promote safety in the construction industry.

One of the event’s highlights was the annual awards presentation. Tevon Nurse and Isabella Labao received the Apprentice of the Year award, while Dagmar Construction was recognized with the Vic Soncin Commitment to Training Employer Appreciation Award for its dedication to workforce development.

Jack Oliveira, Business Manager of LiUNA Local 183, emphasized the importance of recognizing apprentices’ merit and preparing future industry professionals: “It is a very important day for us to celebrate the great work of our apprentices and recognize those who stood out most throughout the training program,” he stated.

He also underscored the significance of female representation, noting that honoring a female recipient this year sends a powerful message to upcoming workers. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to partner companies for supporting the training center—particularly through material contributions for courses—and thanked community media outlets for covering the event.

Sandro Pinto, Executive Director of the LiUNA Local 183 Training and Rehabilitation Fund, highlighted the center’s extensive operations, including the renewal of thousands of safety certifications. “Technological innovation is essential for the construction industry. We must continue updating our programs and working hand-in-hand with labor unions and businesses to keep pace with that evolution,” he noted.

Among the key priorities for the coming year, Sandro Pinto pointed to program enhancements, workforce recruitment, and expanding opportunities for women: “It is impossible to secure the future of the construction industry without greater participation from women,” he stressed.

Corporate collaboration was also featured prominently. Cintya Prazares-Mare, President of Senso Group Building Supplies, recalled the early support her business received from the Portuguese community.

“We started out as a small company, and it was primarily the Portuguese community that backed us and helped us get to where we are today. Because of that, we feel it is crucial to give back. Events like this allow us to meet graduates completing their programs and network with fellow industry professionals,” she said.

Leigh Crawford, Territory Manager at Milwaukee Tool, noted that their corporate commitment extends beyond supplying equipment to building direct relationships with trade workers and supporting union initiatives.

Meanwhile, Dal Hennig, Director of Operations at Action First Aid, highlighted the firm’s roughly 30 years of expertise in first-aid training and its ongoing partnership with Local 183 in this field.

The event demonstrated how strong collaboration between labor unions, training institutions, and private industry drives skill development, enhances workplace safety, and prepares tradespeople for the future demands of construction. In a rapidly evolving sector, investing in training remains an investment in the future of workers and the industry alike.

Francisco Pegado/MS

The content on the Milénio Stadium website is automatically translated using Google Translate.

They arrive alone or “by the hand” of someone else. Some come because they spend their days at home while their children are at work and want to fight off loneliness; others because they feel the need to move their bodies and lift their spirits. They may even arrive showing signs of depression, but the truth is that after a few weeks, they can no longer do without the group and the camaraderie it provides. This is the reality described by two leaders of day centers for seniors in Toronto’s Portuguese community: Carina Paradela, Operations Director at First Portuguese, and Alice Nunes, Senior Program Coordinator at the Abrigo Centre.

So who arrives, and why? At First Portuguese, loneliness is the most common reason. “The vast majority of people seek out our center because they are retired and spend a lot of time alone at home while their family members work, feeling the need to socialize,” explains Carina Paradela. “We also receive people who feel down or depressed due to social isolation or life circumstances that have left them more vulnerable.”

There is, however, a new trend. “Lately, we have registered a significant increase in families of individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease seeking our services, both to provide social interaction for their loved ones and to have a safe haven where they can drop them off and enjoy a short break.”

At the Abrigo Centre, Alice Nunes distinguishes between those who are already regular members and those arriving for the first time. “Those who are already part of the group always arrive very happy. We rarely see any signs of depression among participants who attend three days a week,” she says. With newcomers, “it is a different story.” “I have indeed seen several cases of people who arrive with that exact feeling of being depressed or complaining heavily about being isolated, some even experiencing difficulty speaking, cognitive decline, and deep sadness.”

The transformation, she assures, becomes visible over time. She offers an example from the very day she spoke to Milénio Stadium, during a lunch at Casa do Alentejo: “One of those people was there, which would have been unthinkable a while back. At first, she did nothing but cry and wouldn’t speak a word; then step by step she began to breathe easier, start conversations, and join in games with others. Now she even tells jokes.” The improvements, she adds, are physical as well: “People who arrive after a stroke, for instance, improve significantly over time with exercise and everything we do.”

When asked about the activities that contribute most to the well-being of participants, both leaders point in the same direction: social interaction.

“Social activities have the biggest impact, from the gentlemen who love playing cards to the ladies who enjoy chatting and sharing stories,” says Carina Paradela. “Physical exercise classes also contribute greatly to well-being. Outings, on the other hand—which are increasingly scarce due to high costs, undoubtedly have the greatest psychological impact.”

Alice Nunes agrees. “If I had to single out one specific activity, I would say exercise has the biggest impact. But what truly makes the greatest difference in their lives is socialization. Being part of a group, doing whatever it may be, as long as they are talking and spending time together.”

Men remain the hardest to bring in. At Abrigo, they are far fewer than women, and many only show up accompanied. “They are reluctant to join in certain activities, such as physical exercise or dancing. Some participate in theater, some sing,” describes Alice Nunes. The strategy, she notes, does not rely on the center itself: “We don’t really do persuasion work ourselves. I think the wives are the ones who do that. They come along to accompany their wives and end up benefiting immensely. Having someone bring them along is the best way to convince them.”

At First Portuguese, they take a different approach. “Some members are reluctant to participate, but with patience and a large dose of affection, we almost always manage to motivate them to join in,” says Carina Paradela.

The advice for those spending their days at home is the same from both leaders: seek out company. Carina Paradela recommends “a social day center, a safe space where they can socialize with others, stay connected to their language, gastronomy, and traditions, and combat the isolation that often comes with spending too much time alone at home.” She acknowledges that getting started is hard: “Sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step, but once they experience the environment and the people, they begin to enjoy it so much that they start coming of their own free will.”

Alice Nunes points out that the group does not have to be formal. She knows a retiree who “wakes up, goes to have coffee with a group at a Portuguese bakery,” returns home for lunch, and then goes out “for a walk to meet another group of friends.” And a group of ladies who gather every Friday morning at Dufferin Mall, with coffee and cake, just to chat. The conclusion is simple: “The advice is not to stay at home. It is to have a place, whatever place that may be, to do an activity like swimming or to join a group like ours.”

Regarding the needs of these community support centers, both directors highlight funding, but also awareness. “Financial support is undoubtedly one of our greatest needs,” states Carina Paradela. “However, there is also a lack of awareness about the existence of these centers and the benefits they bring, both physically and emotionally. It is important to demystify the idea that these spaces are only for those who are ‘old,’ as many people do not realize the opportunity they are missing to socialize, build bonds, and improve their quality of life.”

At Abrigo, the most pressing issue is capacity. “I have 70 people attending the group and a waiting list of about 20 to 30,” reveals Alice Nunes, who has been referring people to other day centers. Participants have already asked to open a fourth day beyond the current three, an option the center is reconsidering “even as a way to help those on the waiting list.” There is also a shortage of specialized responses for “people experiencing the early signs of cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, or dementia from other causes.”

On the transportation front, Alice Nunes offers a positive assessment: Wheel-Trans “has been doing an excellent job” and “really helps those who can no longer take public transit on their own.” Financial backing, she emphasizes, keeps coming thanks to the community, local businesses, United Way, and benefactors like Manuel DaCosta.

More spots, more support, and more people aware that these spaces exist: this is the path both leaders outline so that retirement in the Portuguese community is lived in good company rather than closed off within four walls. For many retirees, the front door of the community’s day centers is the exit door from isolation. It is essential not to let this vital social support fade, and to raise awareness about the need to help those who help, making it possible for more people to take that first step toward a happier life.

Madalena Balça/MS

Retirement can be one of the most rewarding stages of life, offering greater freedom, opportunities to spend time with family and friends, and the chance to pursue interests that were difficult to fit into a busy working life. Yet retirement also brings changes that can influence physical, mental and social well-being. The important message is that retirement itself does not cause accelerated aging. Rather, it is how we prepare and adapt to the loss of work-related routines, physical activity, mental challenges and social relationships that can make a difference.

The good news is that many of these changes are preventable, and it is never too late to adopt habits that support healthy aging.

1 Retirement and sudden aging

We often hear about people who “age suddenly” after retirement. Is this a myth, or is there actually a medical explanation for why leaving the workforce accelerates aging?

There is some truth behind this observation, but it is important to recognize that retirement itself does not cause people to age more quickly. In fact, retirement can improve health by reducing workplace stress, physical demands and exhaustion. However, for some people, retirement brings changes in daily activities and routines that can contribute to a decline in physical and mental well-being.

During our working years, much of our daily life has a built-in structure. We get up at a particular time, move around, solve problems, interact with others and have responsibilities that provide a sense of purpose. Retirement can suddenly remove many of these activities.

If they are replaced by prolonged sitting, reduced social contact and fewer mental challenges, physical fitness and muscle strength can begin to decline. People may also experience changes in mood, motivation and confidence.

There is good medical evidence that prolonged inactivity contributes to loss of muscle strength, reduced cardiovascular fitness and declining physical function. Research also suggests that some people experience changes in memory and thinking following retirement, although the findings are mixed and retirement has not been proven to directly cause dementia.

Another important factor is whether retirement represents a positive new stage of life or a loss of identity, relationships and purpose.

My message would be that we do not necessarily age faster because we stop working; we may age less well if we stop being physically active, mentally engaged and socially connected.

The objective should not be to remain employed indefinitely, but to find new activities and responsibilities that give life structure, enjoyment and meaning.

2 Changes in the body and brain

What happens in the body and brain when we transition from an active life—with schedules, challenges, and daily interaction with others—to a more sedentary routine? What physical signs should serve as warning signals for both the individual and their family?

One of the most important changes associated with inactivity is the loss of muscle strength and physical conditioning. As we grow older, we naturally become more vulnerable to losing muscle mass and strength, particularly when we are inactive. This process can accelerate when someone moves from an active working life to spending much of the day sitting.

Over time, everyday activities such as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, rising from a chair or walking longer distances may become more difficult. Reduced activity can also affect balance, increasing the risk of falls.

The cardiovascular system is similarly affected. Regular movement helps maintain heart and lung fitness, blood pressure control and healthy blood sugar levels. When activity decreases, endurance can decline, weight may increase and the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease can rise.

The brain also benefits from stimulation. Work often involves planning, decision-making, problem-solving and regular interaction with others. When these activities disappear without being replaced, some people experience reduced mental stimulation, boredom or changes in mood.

Families should watch for changes such as increasing difficulty getting out of a chair, slower walking, reduced participation in previously enjoyed activities, increasing fatigue, unexplained weight loss, repeated falls, persistent low mood or noticeable changes in memory and everyday decision-making.

An especially important warning sign is when someone begins avoiding activities because they have become physically or mentally more difficult. This can create a vicious cycle: reduced activity leads to declining fitness and confidence, which in turn encourages further inactivity.

However, these changes should never simply be dismissed as normal aging. They may reflect treatable conditions, including depression, medication side effects, heart disease, nutritional problems or other illnesses.

A sudden change in memory, alertness or physical ability requires prompt medical assessment.

The encouraging message is that much of the decline associated with inactivity can be prevented or improved through regular movement, strengthening exercises, social participation and appropriate medical care.

3 Isolation loneliness and health

Isolation and loneliness are often highlighted as being as harmful to health as smoking or a sedentary lifestyle. What impact do they have on the body of a retiree, particularly regarding the heart, memory, and the risk of dementia?

Social connection is increasingly recognized as an essential component of good health, comparable in importance to physical activity, nutrition and sleep.

It is useful to distinguish between social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation means having relatively few social contacts, while loneliness is the distressing feeling that one’s relationships do not provide the connection or companionship one needs. A person can live alone without feeling lonely, or feel lonely despite being surrounded by people.

Research has consistently associated loneliness and social isolation with poorer physical and mental health. For example, large studies have found that people with poor social connections have approximately a 29% higher relative risk of heart disease and a 32% higher relative risk of stroke. Social isolation has also been associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

These figures represent associations across populations, rather than proof that loneliness directly causes these conditions in an individual.

Several mechanisms may contribute. Persistent loneliness can increase psychological stress, interfere with sleep and contribute to changes in blood pressure and the body’s stress responses. Socially isolated individuals may also become less physically active, eat less well or have fewer opportunities to recognize and address emerging health problems.

Social interaction is also an important source of mental stimulation. Conversations, shared activities, problem-solving and relationships help keep the brain engaged.

The underlying message is clear: prolonged social disconnection is a significant health concern. For retirees, maintaining meaningful relationships should therefore be considered an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Regular contact with family and friends, community organizations, volunteering, faith communities, cultural activities and intergenerational programs can all help.

For many Portuguese-Canadian older adults, family gatherings, cultural traditions, community celebrations and local associations can provide particularly meaningful opportunities for connection and belonging.

It is not the number of social contacts that matters most, but the quality of relationships and the feeling of being included, supported and valued.

4 Retirement after physically demanding work

Many Portuguese people in Canada spent decades in physically demanding jobs, such as construction or cleaning. When they stop working, does the body “take its toll” for those years of hard labour? What special precautions should these individuals take during their transition into retirement?

This is a particularly important question for many people who immigrated to Canada and spent decades working in physically demanding occupations to support their families. Construction, cleaning, factory work and other manual occupations can place considerable demands on the body. Years of repetitive movements, heavy lifting, bending and prolonged standing may contribute to chronic back pain, joint problems, tendon injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Sometimes these problems become more noticeable after retirement, when a person has more time to recognize longstanding symptoms or when changes in activity lead to loss of the muscle conditioning that previously helped them cope with physical demands.

However, it would be misleading to suggest that retirement suddenly causes the body to pay a price for years of hard work. Much of what people experience reflects the combined effects of previous occupational demands, age-related changes and their current health and activity levels.

There is also an important distinction between being physically active at work and exercising for health. Physically demanding work often involves repetitive movements, awkward positions and prolonged exertion with limited opportunities for recovery. By contrast, recreational exercise can be adjusted to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility and balance without unnecessarily overloading the body.

For someone retiring from a physically demanding occupation, my recommendations would be to begin with a review of their overall health and physical function, particularly if they have chronic pain, cardiovascular disease or significant mobility limitations.

They should avoid the temptation to replace years of demanding work with complete inactivity. Instead, they should gradually develop a sustainable routine that includes walking, muscle strengthening, balance exercises and activities they enjoy. Swimming, cycling, gardening, walking and appropriately supervised exercise programs can all be beneficial, depending on individual abilities.

Physiotherapy may be particularly helpful for people with persistent joint or back problems, both to manage symptoms and to identify safe ways to remain active. Another important consideration is that retirement should provide an opportunity to enjoy activities that may previously have been difficult because of long working hours.

For retirees, this may include spending more time with grandchildren, gardening, participating in cultural and community activities, volunteering, travelling or enjoying recreational activities with friends.

The objective is not to continue working the body as hard as before, but to move from physically demanding work to physical activity that supports health, independence and enjoyment.

5 Habits for a healthy retirement

From a medical standpoint, what actually defines a healthy retirement? What habits concerning movement, nutrition, sleep, mental stimulation, and social life would you recommend to someone who wants to experience this stage of life with quality, and not just with more years?

From a geriatrician’s perspective, a healthy retirement is not defined simply by the absence of disease or by how many years someone lives after leaving work. It is better defined by the ability to continue doing the things that matter to them, maintain meaningful relationships, remain as independent as possible and enjoy a sense of purpose and belonging.

There are several important habits that can help achieve this.

Keep moving every day. The World Health Organization recommends that older adults aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, such as brisk walking, along with muscle-strengthening activities at least twice weekly and regular balance exercises. For someone who has been inactive, even a 10-minute daily walk is a good starting point. The important thing is to begin safely and build gradually.

Pay attention to muscle strength. Maintaining strength is essential for independence. Simple exercises such as rising repeatedly from a chair, climbing stairs, using resistance bands or lifting light weights can help preserve the ability to manage daily activities. Exercises should be adapted to individual abilities and health conditions.

Eat well. A balanced diet should include vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish and other sources of protein. Adequate protein is particularly important for maintaining muscle. Traditional Portuguese foods such as vegetable soups, beans, fish, olive oil and fresh produce can fit very well within a healthy eating pattern. People should also maintain adequate hydration and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

Maintain regular sleep habits. Most older adults benefit from approximately seven to nine hours of sleep, although individual needs vary. Keeping regular sleeping and waking times, being physically active during the day and limiting caffeine late in the day can help. Persistent insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness or suspected sleep apnea should be assessed rather than accepted as unavoidable consequences of aging.

Keep the brain engaged. Reading, learning new skills, taking courses, playing music, participating in discussions and learning to use new technologies can provide valuable mental stimulation. Activities that are enjoyable, challenging and involve other people may be especially rewarding. No single puzzle or brain-training exercise has been proven to prevent dementia, so variety and continued engagement are important.

Stay socially connected and maintain a sense of purpose. Retirement should not mean withdrawing from community life. Volunteering, mentoring, helping others, participating in cultural or faith communities and spending time with family and friends can support emotional well-being and provide a continuing sense of contribution.

Continue preventive health care. Managing blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, avoiding smoking, addressing hearing and vision difficulties, reviewing medications and keeping up with recommended vaccinations and screening are also important for healthy aging, including brain health.

Finally, I encourage people approaching retirement to think about more than their finances. They should also develop a plan for their health, daily activities, relationships and interests.

Retirement is a major life transition. Like other important transitions, it benefits from preparation.

I would summarize healthy retirement around three simple principles: keep moving, keep thinking and keep connected.

The aim is not merely to add more years to life, but to add more life, meaning and enjoyment to those years.

Final message

Retirement should be viewed as an opportunity rather than an inevitable period of decline.

For many people, it offers the freedom to pursue interests, strengthen family and community relationships, and adopt healthier routines than were possible during busy working years.

The greatest risk is not retirement itself, but allowing inactivity, isolation and loss of purpose to gradually narrow one’s world.

The most successful retirement is not necessarily the one with the most rest. It is the one that provides the right balance of activity, recovery, relationships and purpose.

Madalena Balça/MS

We spend our whole lives answering the question “what do you do?” with the name of a profession. One day, that answer ceases to exist. For many, the long-sought retirement arrives accompanied by an unexpected feeling of emptiness, anxiety, or disorientation.

For Elizabeth Russell, Associate Professor of Psychology at Trent University in Peterborough, this crisis often stems from a lack of preparation for a life with fewer responsibilities and changing capacities. In this interview with Milénio Stadium, she discusses identity loss, the differences between men and women, the warning signs that rest is turning into inertia, and the shifts that retirement brings to couple dynamics as well as relationships with children and grandchildren.

The message is clear: accept the stage of life we are in, diversify interests, take care of our health, and stay active and connected to community and family. Because it is never too late to start anew.

Milénio Stadium: Many people spend years dreaming about retirement, and yet when it arrives, they feel lost, anxious, or even depressed. Why can something so deeply desired turn into a crisis?

Elizabeth Russell: This may happen because they did not really plan on the reality that they were unprepared for having far fewer responsibilities, and perhaps changing capacities. It is critical to accept ourselves where we are at, when we are there, and go from there.

MS: For decades, work defines who we are: it gives us status, routine, purpose, and a place in the world. When it disappears, how does one handle the question “who am I now”? Do men and women experience this loss differently?

ER: Yes, women in general have more well-rounded lives. To avoid this challenge, one has to diversify their interests in advance of their senior years. Building or enhancing connections in one’s community is critical.

MS: There are those who view retirement as a “well-deserved rest” and end up falling into a kind of inertia, which we call the “laziness trap.” Where is the line between resting and giving up? What are the warning signs that someone is falling into this trap?

ER: In short, too much TV time is not recommended. This can be a very simple measure of inactivity, leading to mental and general health decline. Keeping active, within one’s interests and capabilities, is critically important.

MS: Retirement also changes family relationships: couples suddenly spend all day together, children have moved out, and some grandparents become full-time caregivers for their grandchildren. How can these shifts be managed without losing one’s own personal space or creating conflicts?

ER: Couples face either a happy time sharing things they like to do together, allowing each other space to be themselves, and grow in a different way. Or, they may grumble their way through unhappy years filled with half-truths and compromises they do not enjoy. With children, honesty is so important. For example, being clear that “I can do this but can’t do that…”. As one ages, strength declines and it’s easier if all involved are aware of that.

MS: What advice would you give to someone on the verge of retirement, and to someone who has already retired and feels they have lost their way? Is it possible to psychologically prepare for this transition, and is it ever too late to find a new purpose?

ER: If a person is perhaps open to considering additional perspectives, we would suggest that one re-focus on enjoying a new life. Work on keeping a healthy lifestyle, engaging with old friends and the community in general, while enjoying children and grandchildren, can be really important.

Madalena Balça/MS

Hello there, good morning, how have you been?

Another milestone of the season: Thanksgiving opening the doors to Halloween, followed right after by “Santa Claus” and the relentless race between the Sun and the Moon, the imminent time change, shorter days, and less sunlight.

This week’s topic on the table deals with what to do or not do after retiring. There is a lifelong anticipation for that day, even as governments across various countries have extended retirement ages, which for a long time was set at 65.

Well, if you are looking to retire just to collect your monthly check and sit in front of the television after leading an active and stress-filled life, I am not sure if that is the ideal choice. However, if you manage to balance your newfound time while keeping your mind and body active, you just might find the “perfect formula” to combat a sedentary lifestyle.

Here are a few tips—and I will be jotting them down for myself as well.

To enjoy a healthy retirement, the secret lies in preparing for the transition with a balanced focus on three main pillars: body, mind, and social life. In Portugal, with the retirement age set at 66 years and 9 months, planning should begin well in advance to ensure longevity with quality of life. Key strategies can be divided into essential areas:

Diet and Nutrition

• Daily balance: Prioritize the Mediterranean diet. Ensure an adequate intake of protein to prevent muscle loss, alongside healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.
• Avoid excesses: Drastically reduce the consumption of processed foods, salt, and refined sugar to keep blood pressure and blood glucose under control.

Physical Activity and the Body

• Strength training: From age 50 onward, the body naturally loses muscle mass. Engage in strength exercises (such as weight training or Pilates) 2 to 3 times a week.
• Cardiovascular exercise: Get at least 30 minutes of daily active walking, swimming, or cycling.

Active Mind and Social Life

• Cognitive stimulation: Challenge your brain through reading, strategy games, handicrafts, or learning a new language.
• Socializing: Avoid social isolation by participating in community activities, volunteering, or traveling.

Preventive Health

• Routine checkups: Keep up with preventive exams (cancer screenings, cardiovascular monitoring, and regular blood work) to catch any issues early.

There are the tips, but the main engine is your mind. Active mind, healthy mind. But remember, the most important thing is never to let your soul grow old.

It is what it is, and it will always be worth what it’s worth.

Be well, and see you soon,

Cristina DaCosta/MS

A batalha de Toronto por causa das ciclovias tornou-se em algo muito mais amplo do que um mero debate sobre bicicletas, congestionamentos de trânsito e lugares de estacionamento. Transformou-se num duelo político entre a Cidade de Toronto e o governo provincial de Ontário, levantando uma questão fundamental: quem deve decidir a forma como as ruas de Toronto são projetadas — o município responsável pela gestão da cidade ou o premier e o governo provincial que tutelam a província?

No centro da disputa está a determinação do Premier Doug Ford em remover certas ciclovias em artérias principais de Toronto, argumentando que estas contribuem para o congestionamento do tráfego e dificultam a vida aos automobilistas. A liderança municipal de Toronto, por sua vez, tem defendido a infraestrutura ciclável como parte integrante de uma rede de transportes moderna capaz de melhorar a segurança, oferecer alternativas à condução e ajudar a cidade a acolher uma população em crescimento.

Agora, com a província a avançar com o seu plano de remoção das ciclovias e com eleições municipais agendadas para 26 de outubro, o confronto adquiriu um peso político ainda maior. Já não se trata simplesmente de uma luta por tinta no asfalto. É uma batalha sobre prioridades de transporte, autonomia municipal, segurança pública e o próprio futuro de Toronto. O litígio judicial atingiu um ponto de viragem a 14 de agosto de 2026, quando o Tribunal de Apelo de Ontário anulou uma decisão de primeira instância que tinha impedido a província de remover as ciclovias. O tribunal de recurso concluiu que o tribunal inferior tinha ultrapassado as suas competências ao criar, na prática, um direito constitucional às ciclovias onde este não existia na lei. Essa decisão abriu caminho para que o governo provincial avançasse.

Esta semana, a província tem agendado o início da remoção de um troço de ciclovias protegidas na Bloor Street West, em Etobicoke. Prevê-se que os trabalhos demorem um mês, inserindo-se no plano mais vasto da província que visa igualmente troços da Bloor, Yonge e University, bem como Queen’s Park Crescent e Avenue Road. Para Ford, a vitória nos tribunais representa uma validação da posição do seu governo. Para os defensores do ciclismo e para muitos líderes municipais, trata-se de um avanço preocupante que coloca os interesses dos automobilistas à frente da segurança de quem anda de bicicleta.

Por que razão está Doug Ford a fazer isto?

Existem várias razões, e todas elas vão além do objetivo declarado de reduzir o congestionamento. Ford argumenta que circular em Toronto se tornou cada vez mais difícil e que a remoção das ciclovias em vias movimentadas devolverá espaço aos automóveis, táxis, veículos de mercadorias e outros utilizadores da estrada. O seu governo afirma que, quando se elimina uma faixa de rodagem para dar lugar à infraestrutura ciclável, os condutores ficam a competir por menos espaço. A restituição dessa faixa, segundo este argumento, deverá melhorar a fluidez do trânsito e reduzir os atrasos.

Há também o apelo político aos automobilistas… os condutores constituem um eleitorado expressivo, não apenas em Toronto, mas em toda a Grande Área de Toronto e na província de Ontário. Ford construiu grande parte da sua identidade política em torno do custo de vida, do acesso ao trabalho e da redução das frustrações do dia a dia. As ciclovias tornaram-se um símbolo visível da tensão entre condutores e planeadores de transportes urbanos. Ao adotar uma posição firme contra determinadas vias reservadas, Ford consegue apresentar-se como alguém disposto a desafiar a Câmara Municipal e a defender os automobilistas. É razoável identificar um cálculo político nesta estratégia, embora tal não prove que a política seja a sua única motivação. O governo de Ford está também a deixar uma posição clara sobre o equilíbrio de poder entre Queen’s Park e a Câmara Municipal de Toronto.

O argumento provincial mais forte não é o de que as ciclovias sejam intrinsecamente más. É o de que o espaço rodoviário é limitado e que as decisões de transporte devem basear-se em dados concretos sobre o funcionamento de cada corredor. No entanto, restaurar uma faixa de rodagem para automóveis não significa automaticamente que o trânsito vá melhorar. Os resultados dependem de quantas pessoas conduzem, de onde ocorrem os congestionamentos, da configuração dos cruzamentos e de saber se uma capacidade rodoviária adicional irá atração de mais viagens de veículos. O argumento de Toronto é o de que a infraestrutura ciclável não é uma mera conveniência para ciclistas recreativos: é parte de um sistema de transportes mais amplo que permite às pessoas deslocarem-se sem recurso ao automóvel.

Em minha opinião, o timing dificilmente poderia ser mais significativo. As eleições municipais de Toronto estão marcadas para 26 de outubro de 2026, e a disputa pelas ciclovias tornou-se um tema central na corrida à presidência da câmara. O governo provincial está a dar início ao processo de remoção precisamente no momento em que os candidatos fazem os seus últimos apelos aos eleitores… para Olivia Chow, esta batalha oferece uma oportunidade de se apresentar como defensora do poder de decisão municipal e da segurança dos ciclistas. Chow pode argumentar que Toronto deve ser livre de determinar as suas próprias prioridades de transporte e que a província está a impor uma solução onerosa sem demonstrar devidamente que esta irá reduzir o congestionamento. Acredito que Ford e Chow estão a trabalhar em conjunto nisto… sim, leu bem, e passo a explicar o porquê: porque isto mobiliza a base de apoio de Chow para ir votar, em vez de se abster por achar que a vitória já está garantida. Para Ford, é um bom negócio ter Chow reeleita e ver o seu acordo para o aeroporto da ilha concluído com Chow no cargo durante os próximos quatro anos.

Em última análise, a batalha pelas ciclovias em Toronto é sobre muito mais do que asfalto, tinta e trânsito acumulado. É uma luta para saber quem decide o futuro da cidade: se o governo provincial em Queen’s Park, se os líderes municipais eleitos para representar os residentes de Toronto. A província pode ter a autoridade legal para agir, mas a lei não apaga a frustração dos ciclistas, as preocupações dos bairros nem as consequências políticas de atropelar a autarquia. Com a aproximação das eleições municipais de 26 de outubro, esta controvérsia poderá transformar-se num verdadeiro referendo à liderança, à democracia local e à visão que Toronto tem para o seu próprio futuro. Porque, quando os governos disputam as ruas, são em última análise as pessoas que nelas vivem, trabalham e se deslocam que pagam a conta.

Vincent Black/MS

O conteúdo do website do Milénio Stadium é traduzido automaticamente através do Google Tradutor.

O que dizer daquele circo em Washington? Parece que quanto mais nos aproximamos das eleições intercalares nos Estados Unidos, mais insanas as coisas ficam no Salão Oval. O mais recente porta-voz? Não digo mais nada. Ele escolhe-os apenas por fotografias? Eu já vi, e senti, o nervosismo à frente de uma câmara, mas o porta-voz da Casa Branca deveria ter a experiência adequada para desempenhar o cargo.

Dito isto, o padrão de oferecer cargos a amigos e familiares tem sido o lema do mandato de DT. Olhe-se para o diretor do FBI, por exemplo, ou para o Departamento de Justiça. Lembram-se daquele pequeno neo-nazi a guiar os grupos de agentes do ICE, a vestir um sobretudo? E não nos esqueçamos do ex-canalizador (sem qualquer desrespeito para quem exerce a profissão) que é agora Secretário da Segurança Interna. Eu achei que DT teria algum tipo de estratégia para tentar angariar votos para o seu bando. Pelo que vejo, está simplesmente a agir por impulso. Tentar baixar os preços do gasóleo no seu país através da compra de combustível a Putin, apesar de as sanções o proibirem, é a reação de um tolo numa tentativa de apaziguar os eleitores. E o que dizer da suborno do tipo “se formos eleitos”, ou do uso de dinheiros públicos para anúncios de promoção pessoal? Ele é o melhor, o mais amado, o mais prestável, o que mais merece. Ele é o pacote completo; as sondagens baixas são fake news. Estreito só de pensar na dimensão dos estragos causados por este clã. Imagine-se desarmar toda esta raiva e divisão até um nível em que possamos todos simplesmente falar sobre os problemas, sem a gritaria e o apontar de dedos que se tornaram a norma. Porque é com isso que todos nos deparamos.

Assumindo que a Abelha-Mestra fique politicamente de mãos atadas, esta farsa, que já dura há demasiado tempo, chegará ao fim para que a recuperação possa começar. A reparação, tanto interna como no exterior, vai levar algum tempo, e já se sabe quem vai pagar a conta por isso. Haverá também resistência, até que deixe de ser aceitável ter um discurso de ódio. Duvido que o racismo e a homofobia sejam erradicados tão cedo, mas a tolerância prevalecerá. No centro de tudo isto está também o facto de a cultura americana ter raízes profundas no militarismo e na defesa. Como DT demonstrou, eles são suficientemente poderosos para fazerem o que bem entendem. Podem invadir países sem aviso nem represálias; podem asfixiar outros ao bloquear o comércio. O seu poderio militar prende a atenção de todos. Por mais letais ou ilegais que sejam as suas ações, muito poucos se atrevem a falar porque têm medo.

O mundo atingiu um ponto nesta linha do tempo em que milionários e países fortemente armados estão num jogo de forças, enquanto dançam juntos. Não tente imaginar a cena, para não ficar com dores de cabeça. O que quero dizer é que estão a fazer negócios entre si, e os negócios podem ser duros quando os interesses são elevados. Espero apenas que existam pessoas com poder em número suficiente dispostas a lutar pelo resto de nós e, assim, a inspirar-nos a recuperar o mundo que pertence a todos.

Fiquem bem,

Raul Freitas/MS

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The budget debate seemed to be well on track even before it officially began. The Government had yielded to the four simple demands presented by the PS (Socialist Party). However, a Budget is not evaluated by what the Government announces; it is evaluated by what actually gets written into it. And reading the Budget as it stands provides no firm guarantees that there are funds available to complete the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan) projects and ensure reconstruction following Storm Kristin.

This, however, is far from the only reason for concern. The Government insists on cutting the Ministry of Health’s budget, proposing an overall reduction of 1.5%, highlighted by a 4.5% drop in National Health Service (SNS) purchasing. This strategy was already attempted this year, justifying a 10% reduction in SNS purchasing with efficiency gains. Contrary to forecasts, however, purchasing grew by 30% up to August. The goal of controlling spending failed. The overhaul of health institution management did happen, but for the worse. With an unprecedented reduction in the number of surgeries and consultations, we can truly state that this was—and continues to be—a recipe for disaster.

The story does not end with Health, which seems to be the poor relation of the AD (Democratic Alliance) governance. Even excluding PRR funds, the budget for the Ministry of Territorial Cohesion drops by 19.2%. The Government justifies this with the end of extraordinary measures for the state of calamity. But what about all the support measures that remain unpaid? Meanwhile, Infrastructure and Housing grows by a mere 3.9%, even without the PRR. With that figure, it is impossible to see how housing investments will be secured—both those for which the PRR proved insufficient, and the commitments made in the meantime to build homes beyond the 26,000 originally planned.

No government likes to present a scenario like this. In other times, this would face different scrutiny. In other times, a Government would find itself forced to allocate funds for its commitments. As I have argued here before, there should be a way for us to know the status update and the line item under which major public investments are registered. But this choice by the Government reveals itself as an absolute necessity when we realize that, by the Government’s own estimates, the cumulative deviation in net expenditure would reach 0.9% of GDP, exceeding the European threshold of 0.6%. Only by resorting to the exceptional flexibility granted to Defense spending is this deviation reduced to 0.5%. In a climate of high interest rates and nervous markets, this is already bad. Pushing the envelope further would be reckless.

We need to understand why a razor-thin budget is being drafted—why the PSD insists there is no margin for further measures to address the cost of living, and why those who defend them are accused, as they say, of wanting to lead us to bankruptcy. It is not because of the measures themselves. They were implemented during another crisis, which we faced with a higher public debt, and were even publicly defended by the current Prime Minister and the current Minister of Finance, who were then in opposition. It is because of the choices we accumulated along the way—corporate tax (IRC) cuts, personal income tax (IRS) cuts concentrated on higher incomes, tax breaks for “moderate rents,” the purchase of REN, among so many other inexplicable expenses. Without the budgetary impact of all these decisions, there would be money for further relief measures.

Why do we seem incapable of choosing or, now, of correcting course? Here, decisions were made without warning or scrutiny, such as the purchase of REN, and others for which the Government refused to quantify the budgetary impact, such as the housing tax package. Even now, the Government does not quantify how much it costs to eliminate the additional solidarity tax rate for incomes between 80,000 and 90,000 euros.

Above all, however, measures were taken one by one, without a global vision of their impact—neither on public accounts nor on people’s wallets. They were decided this way, outside the budget process, for reasons of political expediency—some (if not all) of these measures were unpalatable to the PS, on whom the Government relies to pass the Budget. Thus, Montenegro approves what he wants with CHEGA and calls upon the PS to help pay the bill.

The result is plain to see: a political Frankenstein that is far from matching the ideal of stripping the Budget of controversy and friction. In politics as in life, when you try to avoid tough decisions, you quickly realize you cannot have the best of both worlds. There is always an opportunity cost to everything we do. And in this case, it is a very steep one.

Yet there is another angle from which we should reconsider the trend of “decaf” Budgets—that of the media economy. For Montenegro, the unintended consequence turned out better than the plan. Unlike his predecessors, the Prime Minister does not need the energy to think nor the courage to decide on a slate of initiatives that the opposition would inevitably deem piecemeal, unambitious, and unfair in some way or sense. This new paradigm has lowered expectations regarding the content of the Budget to zero—and when nothing is expected, no one can be disappointed.

Just because not much is expected from the Government anymore does not mean things have to be this way. The pressure the Government spares itself is pressure that keeps suffocating both families and the businesses that employ them, leaving the country ever closer to the edge of the cliff. Balancing this fiscal management requires tremendous prudence. But if history proves anything, it is that when you take care of people and their incomes, you can even achieve the “arithmetically impossible.”

Miguel Costa Matos/MS

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Over recent years, the body of literature dedicated to the phenomenon of migration has been richly expanded through the publication of a significant number of works that help deepen study and broaden knowledge regarding the history of Portuguese emigration and the communities that, over generations, built life journeys across borders.

One of the most recent examples of the relevance of these publications for analyzing and understanding the Portuguese diaspora is Portugal e os EUA: um puzzle pessoal das relações luso-americanas (Portugal and the US: a personal puzzle of Luso-American relations), authored by Leonídio Paulo Ferreira, a renowned Portuguese journalist and current deputy director of Diário de Notícias.

A leading voice in Portugal on international conflict analysis and geopolitics, the journalist and author—who holds a degree in Social Communication, a master’s in American Studies, and a doctorate in Contemporary History—has closely followed the Luso-American diaspora, conducting extensive reporting among the Portuguese communities of New England and California over the years.

In addition to his editorials and opinion pieces in Diário de Notícias and the Portuguese-language press worldwide, his close contact with the diaspora in general, and with the Portuguese and Luso-American communities in the United States in particular, led him to publish the book Encontros e encontrões de Portugal no mundo in 2019 under the Desassossego imprint. Written in a chronicle style, this work charts the Portuguese presence on a global scale, revisiting episodes, figures, and defining moments of our collective history through encounters between cultures and clashes of interests, convergence and disconnect.

Last September, Leonídio Paulo Ferreira returned to deepen this line of reflection, this time focusing on relations between Portugal and the United States of America and, most notably, on the history and experiences of the Luso-American community. Comprising more than 1.3 million people, according to commonly cited estimates, this community represents an important demographic, economic, and cultural reality, with a historical presence spanning from coast to coast. It is against this backdrop that Portugal e os EUA: um puzzle pessoal das relações luso-americanas emerges—a work that invites the reader to discover the many pieces of a centuries-old transatlantic connection.

Published as part of the essay collection of the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation, the book immediately reveals the author’s personal connection to the universe he seeks to portray. In the introduction, Leonídio Paulo Ferreira describes himself as an “avid collector of Luso-American stories,” traversing through chronicles, essays, and interviews to explore a diverse set of realities, events, and figures that have marked—and continue to mark—the history of the Portuguese diaspora in the United States.

From the pages of the work, the figure of a “Portuguese Cabrillo” landing in California quickly emerges, evoking João Rodrigues Cabrilho (Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo), a navigator in the service of the Spanish Crown who, in 1542, reached the coast of present-day California and entered San Diego Bay. Traditionally identified in Portuguese and Luso-American historiography as Portuguese, Cabrillo represents one of the most iconic historical links between Portugal and the North American West Coast.

The narrative does not stop at revisiting the past, however. Leonídio Paulo Ferreira builds a bridge to the present through Idalmiro da Rosa, honorary consul of Portugal in San Diego, whose work helps preserve and revitalize the historical and cultural ties uniting that region to Portugal, particularly through the annual celebrations of Cabrillo’s arrival and the festivities honoring the Holy Spirit (Divino Espírito Santo).

Yet the author’s perspective extends far beyond historical recollection. It is also an outlook of closeness, recognition, and admiration for those who, through hard work, entrepreneurial drive, and commitment to their communities, continue to project Portugal in the world. It is in this vein that Manuel Eduardo Vieira appears—a commander born in Silveira, on the island of Pico, in the Azores, whose business career made him a prominent figure in American agriculture, earning him the title of the “sweet potato king.” His journey serves as a striking example of the initiative and professional success of Portuguese immigrants who, without severing ties to their roots, earned a distinguished place in their host societies.

The work also intersects the journalist’s perspective with that of Onésimo Teotónio Almeida, an acclaimed academic and one of the essential figures in contemporary thought regarding portugalidade (Portugueseness), the experience of Luso-American emigration, and the construction of transatlantic identities. With over half a century of life experience in the United States, the Azorean intellectual offers a particularly rich perspective on the processes of adaptation, belonging, and cultural transformation that run through Portuguese communities in America.

Above all, as the author himself emphasizes, it is a book “about episodes and figures that fascinate me, and also about places I have visited and people I have met who, in various ways, left a Portuguese mark on the United States (even before the country was born).”

Daniel Bastos/MS

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Politics, sports, and culture should not be used to fuel division.

My dear readers, those who follow my columns already know that I hold a center-right political ideology—without extremes—and that I make no secret of my passion for Sporting. That has never stopped me from respecting other clubs, democratic parties, or those who think differently.

I am not against anyone simply because they belong to a different party or club than mine. I am, however, against the politics of easy promises, half-truths, and words spoken merely to win votes. It is sad to think that there are still those who believe citizens lack the ability to think, compare, and draw their own conclusions.

My dear politicians, times have changed. The mindset of “I want, I can, and I command” should no longer have a place in the society we live in today. It is time for greater professionalism, transparency, and respect for those who entrust you with their vote.

Today, information travels fast, documents remain on record, and statements do not simply fade away with time. Those who promise one thing and do another will, sooner or later, have to answer for their words and actions. After all, truth may take time, but it rarely stays hidden forever.

And many will ask: what prompted all of this?

It was prompted by a joke made by our Prime Minister—a joke that, in my opinion, was entirely avoidable.

I want to make a point of acknowledging that I consider the Government’s efforts to reorganize the country to be important. I also understand that the opposition holds responsibilities, and that we must all learn from past mistakes. Offering criticism does not mean ignoring what is going well, just as offering praise does not mean accepting everything blindly.

However, there is one thing we must not forget: the Assembly of the Republic is the venue to debate ideas, present solutions, and challenge political stances. There is no need to resort to sports to convey a message that can be expressed clearly and directly.

By using the example of a club that finishes a championship without winning and makes the promise that “next year will be the year,” the Prime Minister resorted to a joke that, in my view, did not reflect well on him. And I say this not just as a Sporting supporter, but because I believe that whoever holds the highest office in Government must be mindful of the weight of their words and the context in which they use them.

Sporting is much more than a football team. It is a club rich in history, with multiple sports departments, athletes who represent Portugal, and thousands of fans who live the sport with passion. No club is above criticism, but neither should it be turned into a tool for unnecessary political confrontation.

Mr. Prime Minister, many Sporting supporters voted for you as well. That does not mean they have to agree with all of your actions, nor that they should remain indifferent when they feel a remark was unwarranted. Respect knows no party colors or club allegiances, and the responsibility to set the example rests primarily with those in leadership positions.

This reflection goes far beyond football. It applies to everyone holding positions of responsibility, and to those who believe power gives them license to say or do whatever they please. Fanaticism clouds judgment, just as the conviction that only we are right stops us from listening to others.

Those in leadership should surround themselves with competent people who are capable of questioning, analyzing, and presenting solutions—not just those who agree with everything or say what others want to hear. The same applies to those seeking votes: citizens deserve serious proposals, not promises tailored merely to match their expectations.

My dear readers, climbing a ladder can take a long time, but falling down takes only a second. Power is not eternal, positions are temporary, and the way we treat others ultimately speaks much louder about who we are than any speech ever could.

May this serve as a reflection for everyone—in politics, in sports, and in society. We can hold different opinions, support different clubs, and vote for different parties. What we cannot lose is respect, the ability to think for ourselves, and the responsibility to demand more from those who represent us.

Long live Portugal, and long live respect for all. Because in unity lies strength.

Have a great weekend.

Augusto Bandeira/MS

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My home… But the story is different:

It is I in the wind and rain, barefoot here,

Sitting upon a stone of memory.

— Vitorino Nemésio

Last Sunday, October 4th, Mário Silva was at the Casa dos Açores do Ontário in Toronto to present the Portuguese version of his poetic work Bridges Beyond Silence, a ceremony attended by the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow.

Mário Silva was born on the island of São Miguel, in the Azores, and Olivia Chow in Hong Kong. Throughout their lives, both have held various political positions, sharing the common bond of being immigrants. During the book launch, Mário Silva engaged in a conversation with York University’s Vice-President, Professor Maria João Maciel Jorge—herself an immigrant of Azorean heritage. If the chosen title for the work was Bridges Beyond Silence, we can say that the use of the word “Bridges” in this context takes on a very special meaning. Most of those present at this event, including the audience, were, in a metaphorical sense, true bridge builders whose pillars rest upon a geography of affection between past and present—where the past is woven from roots tied to their birthplace, and the present to the host country where their daily lives unfold; some successful, others less so.

It was precisely for this reason that Mário Silva, despite having written his work in English—the language in which he grew up, studied, matured, and reached adulthood—felt the need to see it expressed in his primary language: his mother tongue, the one in which he first began to dialogue with the world around him. And that was precisely what he confessed before an attentive audience: “To see these poems return to the language of my childhood, and to read them at the Casa dos Açores, among the community that raised me, is a homecoming.” A return to the home that, no matter how distant, remains the place where our sensory memories—auditory, olfactory, gustatory, visual, and tactile—silently reside. The first voices that called us, but also lulled us to sleep with lullabies; the hands that comforted us in the laps where we nestled; the smell of the earth that defined a territory of scarce horizons; the roar of the sea echoing the rhythm of the tides that brought and carried away dreams of lands of abundance; the scent of fresh bread in the morning or cinnamon and sugar on festive days; the creaking of doors and windows that could either seal off private intimacy or open to news from distant shores.

A few years ago, Visão magazine published an article on our emigration titled “A Country on a Journey.” Yes, we will always be a country on a journey, crossing bridges between various piers of departure and arrival. Remaining in motion—yesterday as today—is our destiny, our fado, no matter how much we entangle ourselves in wordplay and call the young people who leave the “generation in mobility”—who seek nothing different than those who left before them: work and decent pay.

Like swallows setting off to nest under foreign eaves, they contribute to turning the country into an endless autumn. We are increasingly shedding the leaves of youth, reducing ourselves to bare, dry, withered branches—the very image of the winter of old age. The landscaped rectangle born facing the sea is condemned to be emptied of youth. The latter, like a river, grew tired of emptying into the estuaries of dead-end lives and will continue to swell the ranks of those who, in the near future, will be the new builders of other “bridges beyond silence.”

Aida Batista/MS

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Fotos: DR

Tony Gouveia assinalou quatro décadas de percurso musical, marcadas pela dedicação à música portuguesa e pela divulgação da cultura nacional junto das comunidades portuguesas no Canadá.

A banda Tabu celebrou, no passado sábado, dia 10 de outubro, os seus 40 anos de carreira, numa noite especial de música, convívio e recordações, realizada no Portuguese Cultural Centre of Mississauga (PCCM), em Mississauga, no Canadá. O evento reuniu música ao vivo, jantar e momentos de celebração de um percurso artístico que marcou várias gerações da comunidade portuguesa. Reno, Jessica Amaro, Jennifer Bettencourt, Carlos e Armando Janeiro, Carlos Borges e John Ferreira deram também um colorido diferente ao serão festivo, enchendo com música de qualidade o PCCM.

A comemoração foi também uma oportunidade para recordar a trajetória de Tony Gouveia, músico ligado à história dos Tabu e uma figura associada à promoção da música portuguesa na diáspora. Antes da realização do espetáculo, Tony Gouveia esteve nos nossos estúdios para dar a conhecer os detalhes desta celebração e recordar os momentos mais marcantes de uma carreira dedicada à música.

O seu percurso foi igualmente tema de conversa no podcast Sentir, Pensar e Agir, conduzido por Rómulo Medeiros Ávila, onde foram abordadas diferentes etapas da sua vida artística, desde os primeiros passos no mundo da música até à consolidação de uma identidade musical própria.

Tabu: quatro décadas a levar a música portuguesa mais longe

Ao longo de 40 anos, os Tabu construíram um percurso marcado pela paixão pela música e pela vontade de conciliar as raízes portuguesas com novas sonoridades e arranjos musicais. A banda conquistou um lugar especial na memória de muitos portugueses no Canadá, marcando presença em concertos, festas e encontros comunitários que ajudaram a fortalecer os laços entre a diáspora e Portugal.

Para além da componente artística, e já em declarações ao nosso jornal, assumem que “a música dos Tabu representou, para muitos emigrantes, uma forma de manter viva a ligação à terra natal, à língua portuguesa e às tradições culturais. As atuações do grupo tornaram-se momentos de encontro entre amigos e familiares, contribuindo para a preservação da identidade portuguesa junto das novas gerações”.

A conversa permitiu também recordar experiências vividas ao longo da carreira, os desafios do meio musical e a importância do trabalho coletivo na construção do percurso da banda. A evolução da comunidade portuguesa no Canadá, bem como as mudanças nos meios de comunicação e nas formas de divulgação musical, foram outros dos temas que marcaram a reflexão sobre estas quatro décadas.

Uma celebração da música e da identidade portuguesa

A noite comemorativa no Centro Cultural Português de Mississauga foi dedicada à celebração dos 40 anos dos Tabu, com jantar, espetáculo ao vivo e artistas convidados, num programa pensado para reunir fãs, amigos e familiares em torno da música e das memórias partilhadas.

Mais do que assinalar uma data, a iniciativa destacou o contributo de Tony Gouveia e dos Tabu para a vida cultural da comunidade portuguesa no Canadá. Ao longo de quatro décadas, o grupo ajudou a dar visibilidade à música portuguesa além-fronteiras, acompanhando as transformações da diáspora e mantendo uma ligação constante às suas origens. A celebração dos 40 anos dos Tabu constituiu, assim, um momento de reconhecimento de um percurso artístico construído com dedicação, criatividade e paixão, reafirmando o papel da música como elemento de união entre gerações e como expressão viva da cultura portuguesa no Canadá.

Romulo Ávila/MS

LiUNA Local 183 marked the 28th annual edition of the LiUNA Local 183 Scholarship Trust Fund, awarding over one million Canadian dollars in scholarships to 116 students—children and grandchildren of active and retired union members—to support their post-secondary studies and the fulfillment of their academic and professional goals.

During the ceremony, Jack Oliveira, Business Manager of LiUNA Local 183, congratulated the students and their families, highlighting the sacrifices made by parents to provide better opportunities for their children: “Never forget where you came from and the sacrifices your families made to give you a better future,” he stated. Oliveira also revealed that over 600 applications were received this year.

Joseph Mancinelli, International Vice President and Canadian Director of LiUNA, also emphasized the pride members feel in supporting their children: “Tonight, we celebrate not only the academic achievements of the students, but also the pride of our members in being able to support their children and grandchildren,” he noted.

During the ceremony, we spoke with some of the recipient students, who shared their excitement and gratitude for the support received.

Among the scholarship recipients, Emma Saraiva Almeida from the University of Guelph-Humber highlighted that the financial support will allow her to dedicate more time to her studies while reducing concerns about tuition and school expenses: “The effort and hard work I put into my studies were worth it,” she said, thanking the organization for the opportunity.

For Tushig Ariunjargal from Centennial College, receiving the scholarship was a source of pride: “It is an honor to receive this scholarship,” he declared, thanking LiUNA Local 183 for the recognition.

Aaron Baldeo from the University of Toronto emphasized the impact of the support on his family, acknowledging his parents’ hard work to finance his education: “My parents work very hard to pay for my education, and I know this scholarship will help them a lot,” he explained, adding that he hopes the support will also help ease his parents’ financial burden.

Meanwhile, Keiliah La-Lowe, also from the University of Toronto, highlighted the personal significance of this award: “As a young Black woman, this recognition shows me that the community continues to believe in young people,” she stated, viewing the scholarship as an incentive to invest in her future and achieve her career goals.

Emma Travassos from George Brown Polytechnic also expressed her gratitude: “It is an honor to receive support from LiUNA Local 183,” she said, noting the difference these initiatives make in students’ lives.

These testimonials highlight the importance of scholarships in supporting families, recognizing academic merit, and creating better future opportunities for young people.

Since 2006, the Local 183 Scholarship Trust Fund has awarded over 11 million dollars in scholarships, supporting more than 1,200 beneficiaries.

The initiative reaffirms LiUNA Local 183’s commitment to education, recognizing academic excellence, supporting families, and creating better opportunities for future generations.

Francisco Pegado/MS

The content on the Milénio Stadium website is automatically translated using Google Translate.

The federal government is turning up the heat on the U.S. owner of Stelco Holdings Inc. over impending layoffs at the Hamilton, Ont.-based steel plant.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly sent a letter to Stelco president Paul Simon on Monday laying out her “extreme disappointment” over the company’s plan to lay off up to 500 workers in response to U.S. tariffs and other market pressures.

Canada gave U.S.-based Cleveland-Cliffs the go-ahead to purchase Stelco back in 2024 under the Investment Canada Act, which regulates foreign takeovers.

Canada’s approval of the deal was contingent on the new owner maintaining the number of union jobs and the majority of non-union positions, Joly said.

Those conditions don’t expire just because “business strategy or market conditions have changed,” she wrote in the letter.

“This is particularly relevant here, where Cleveland-Cliffs has cited trade disruptions as affecting its operations at Hamilton Works, notwithstanding its chief executive officer’s public support for Section 232 tariff measures,” Joly said.

Lourenco Goncalves, the chief executive of Cleveland-Cliffs, has publicly supported U.S. steel tariffs, saying they are a “necessary step” to curb dumped steel imports.

In the letter, Joly said she wants to see Cleveland-Cliffs’ plan to comply with all undertakings of the original acquisition. She asked for a response within five business days or the government could consider legal action.

If the steelmaker does not comply, Ottawa could go to superior court where a judge could order the company to meet its obligations, impose penalties or even order a sale of the business, Joly said.

Ron Wells, president of United Steelworkers local 1005, which represents workers at Stelco’s Hamilton plant, said he is pleased the federal government acted “very swiftly.”

“They were very slow to react last time,” he said, referring to an earlier dispute involving the steel mill under a different owner. “We actually had to lobby to get them to react.”

DCN/MS

The City of Toronto is expanding its pre-approved building plans program by launching new designs for fourplex and sixplex buildings as a way to speed up homebuilding throughout the city.

The new designs, which can be accommodated on wide and narrow lots, build on the city’s existing pre-approved plans program for garden and laneway suites, explains a release.

“These new made-in-Toronto designs make it easier to add more homes to residential properties,” it states. “By providing building designs at no cost, homeowners can benefit from a headstart on the design process.”

The plans meet with the Ontario Building Code and include opportunities for sustainable features, bicycle parking, waste storage and more. They were also developed with accessibility, climate resilience, cost and ease of construction as core considerations. Designs were created by an architectural firm selected through a competitive procurement process, the release adds.

This initiative complements the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation’s (CMHC) Housing Design Catalogue.

Currently, fourplexes are permitted city-wide, while sixplexes vary by location. If a multiplex meets the zoning requirements, owners can apply directly for a building permit, without going to the Committee of Adjustment.

The new multiplex plans can be used to prepare a building permit application and will undergo the city’s review process.

It should be noted, applicants must still engage a qualified design professional to take responsibility for the design and prepare the site-specific drawings and information required for their property.

DCN/MS

The province says work to remove bike lanes on a stretch of a major Toronto road will begin next week.

It comes after Ontario’s top court overturned in August a ruling that blocked the government’s bid to remove protected bike lanes along stretches of Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue in Toronto.

Dakota Brasier, a spokesperson for Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, says work to restore vehicle lanes on Bloor Street West will begin on Tuesday.

A lower court last year stopped the province from replacing the protected bike lanes with car lanes, but the Ontario Court of Appeal found that judgment had effectively created a right to bike lanes where none existed.

The province has since been pressing ahead with its plan to overhaul the cycling network over the city’s objections.

Last month it put out a bid request to study and design options to restore vehicle traffic on bike lane sections of the affected roads, and said the successful bidder will also be expected to look for ways to retain or reconfigure bike lanes, “where they make sense and do not make gridlock worse.”

DCN/MS

There are things you don’t learn at school. Class, for example. I’m not talking about the kind of class that appears on your report card, nor about the economy class on an aeroplane, although the latter seems to have very little class and a whole lot of economy these days. I’m talking about the other kind. The class of knowing how to conduct yourself, how to dress, how to eat, how to work, how to show respect and, above all, how to live in a community. And, my friends, that kind of class is becoming an endangered species out on our streets.

Let’s start with clothing, which is a delicate subject. Not because people don’t have the right to wear whatever they want — they do, absolutely. But there’s a difference between wearing what we like and wearing whatever happens to be closest to hand. There’s also something called the occasion. It sounds simple, but apparently it now requires formal training.

A night of traditional street parades is not a fado gala. A fado gala is not the chicharro dinner. And the chicharro dinner, as important as it may be — and we know it is — is not exactly the Academy Awards ceremony either. Every occasion has its own atmosphere, its own dress code and its own little dose of common sense.

You don’t need to fly a tailor in from Paris to look well dressed, but you also don’t need to turn up at a fado gala with the same enthusiasm for fashion that you’d have when popping out to buy bread on a Sunday morning. Expensive clothes don’t give you class. If they did, all you’d need to do is buy the label. Class is knowing what to wear, when to wear it and how to wear it.

Then there’s class at the table. Ah, the table… That great test of character. All it takes is a community lunch or dinner, and along comes the architect of the plate. Someone arrives at the buffet and begins constructing a masterpiece that defies the laws of gravity: rice, pasta, potatoes, meat, salad, dessert, and a little more of everything because “it’s just to try a bit.”

The plate becomes so overloaded that it’s no longer a plate; it’s a condominium complex. And then, with complete composure, the person looks at the serving dish and asks, “Is there any more?”

Class is understanding this. It’s not piling your plate as though all the supermarkets are closing tomorrow. It’s taking what you’re going to eat, going back for more later if there’s still some left and, above all, remembering that there are other people at the table. Because community is also about this: not always putting ourselves first.

And then there’s class in the workplace, another endangered species. Especially when cameras, photographers, interviews and that wonderful opportunity to show the world that we were there too suddenly appear.

It seems that the moment a camera shows up, certain people develop a kind of magnetic attraction to the frame. There’s a camera? Someone rushes to walk right in front of it. A photographer is crouching down, trying to get a shot? That’s precisely when someone decides to walk across the scene. An interview is underway? It’s the perfect moment to stroll directly behind the person being interviewed, preferably nice and slowly, to make sure the moment is captured on camera.

My friends, there’s no need for that. We can all get a good shot. Believe me. We don’t need to ruin a colleague’s photograph or footage to get our own. There’s room for everyone, there’s work for everyone and, in the end, we all want the best image.

And sometimes, of course, it happens. Our minds are elsewhere, we’re distracted, worried about something, trying to solve five problems at once and, before we know it, we’ve walked straight across someone’s camera shot.

It happens. And do you know what we do? We say, “Sorry.” And life goes on. We apologise. Simple. It’s a tiny word, but it carries an enormous amount of class.

In fact, perhaps that’s exactly the problem: we’ve lost the habit of using simple words. Thank you. Sorry. Excuse me. Please, go ahead. That’s really not much to ask for a community to function better.

But nowadays, even asking permission seems to offend people. Some people join a queue as though they’ve purchased lifetime priority access. They arrive after everyone else, look at the line, pull a face as if they’ve just uncovered a historic injustice and slowly begin edging towards the front. Nobody knows exactly how it happened, but five minutes later, three people have somehow slipped ahead of those who were there first.

It’s the same on the road. The turn signal seems to have become an optional accessory. Letting someone merge is seen as an extraordinary act of generosity. And thanking someone who lets us through? Well, that’s practically international diplomacy.

Class has also gone missing on social media. Everyone has an opinion about everything, which is perfectly legitimate. The problem is that nowadays, insulting anyone who disagrees seems to have become compulsory.

In the old days, people would say, “I don’t agree with you.” Today, before we even get to the “I don’t agree” part, we’ve already been given a lecture about our intelligence, our family, our profession and, if there’s time, even our ancestors.

Disagreeing is not the same as being disrespectful. Being disrespectful is believing that the only way to be right is to treat the other person like an idiot.

And then there’s that constant need to compete. “I did it.” “I did it better.” “I have one.” “I have more.” “I know someone.” “I know someone more important.” “I was there.” “I was there three times.”

Some people don’t have conversations; they compile rankings.

Even the chicharro dinner can turn into an international competition over who knows the most people, who has the best table, who took the best photograph and who managed to get closest to the band.

And in the middle of all this, we forget something very simple: nobody is handing out medals. Although plenty of people seem determined to walk around with one pinned to their chest.

Class also means recognising that other people have flaws, accepting their imperfections and understanding that nobody is perfect. It means showing respect without passing judgement and having empathy even when we disagree.

Class isn’t about the car we drive, the clothes we wear, the money we have or the size of our house. It’s about the way we treat others. It’s knowing how to wait. It’s knowing how to listen. It’s not interrupting. It’s leaving food for those coming after us. It’s understanding that different occasions call for different things and that we don’t always need to dress as though we’ve just stepped out of a photo shoot.

It’s about respecting others and accepting that other people have their own ways of doing things.

Perhaps the greatest class of all is understanding that we are no more important than anyone else. That our work matters, but so does everyone else’s. That our photograph is important, but so is our colleague’s. That we want to eat, but so do other people. That we like to dress well, but we don’t need to turn every dinner into a red-carpet event. That we can have an opinion without having to crush someone else’s.

Class doesn’t cost money. You can’t buy it in a shop, it doesn’t come with a brand name and it isn’t measured by the size of your wallet. It comes from home, it’s learned from others and it’s demonstrated through small gestures: a “good morning,” a “thank you,” a “sorry” and respect for the people around us.

Class means knowing how to conduct yourself, how to dress appropriately and how to respect the traditional costumes of our folklore. It means not talking or banging your cutlery against your plate while someone is giving a speech. It means not stepping in front of someone else’s camera just to get the best photograph.

Class also means knowing how to organise community celebrations without cramming everything together. Sometimes, simpler is more beautiful, more elegant and cheaper. Less excess, more good taste.

Ultimately, we can all eat, dress well and appear in photographs. But not everyone understands that true class lies in our attitude, our respect for others and our good manners.

And while we’re at it: less plus less equals more. Less vanity, less exaggeration and less showing off give us more class, more respect and a community where people genuinely enjoy being together.

Enough already! Be happy.

Rómulo Medeiros Ávila/MS

Há canções que deixam de pertencer apenas a quem as escreveu e passam a fazer parte da vida de quem as ouve. Acompanham histórias de amor, momentos marcantes e atravessam gerações. Os Pólo Norte são um dos exemplos mais marcantes desse fenómeno na música portuguesa. Liderada por Miguel Gameiro, a banda marcou a década de 90 e, décadas depois, continua presente na memória e no coração de muitos portugueses. 

O Milénio Stadium esteve à conversa com o músico, que recordou o percurso dos Pólo Norte, a ligação emocional com o público, as mudanças na indústria da música e a nova digressão em formato acústico, que leva a banda a salas e auditórios de todo o país. Quando se fala dos Pólo Norte, é inevitável recordar temas como Grito, Aprender a Ser Feliz, O Teu Nome ou Lisboa. Canções com décadas de existência que continuam a ser cantadas por várias gerações. Qual será, afinal, o segredo para criar músicas capazes de resistir ao tempo? Miguel Gameiro admite não ter uma resposta concreta. Fala, antes, da forma como a banda sempre encarou a música: escrever com amor, compor com verdade, cantar com honestidade e tocar com entrega. É nessa autenticidade que, para o músico, reside a verdadeira magia: quando uma canção ultrapassa o estúdio, chega ao coração de alguém e passa a fazer parte da sua história. 

Saber que uma música esteve presente num casamento, numa história de amor ou num momento importante da vida de alguém é, para qualquer artista, motivo de orgulho. Esse vínculo torna-se particularmente evidente nos concertos, onde não é raro ver pais e filhos a cantar juntos os mesmos refrões. Apesar de os mais jovens terem hoje acesso a uma multiplicidade de novos estilos e tendências, a música transmitida em casa continua a manter vivos os clássicos do pop-rock português. É também essa ligação que ganha uma nova dimensão na atual digressão dos Pólo Norte, num formato mais acústico e intimista. Longe da dimensão dos festivais e das festas populares, os teatros e auditórios permitem uma relação mais próxima entre músicos e público. Há silêncio, escuta e atenção a cada nota. Para Miguel Gameiro, este formato coloca maiores desafios aos músicos, mas proporciona uma troca emocional única. 

Numa sala fechada, cada acorde, cada respiração e cada palavra ganham outra intensidade. É um palco que pode trazer uma maior sensação de vulnerabilidade, sobretudo no início, mas onde a resposta do público acaba por transformar cada concerto numa experiência especial. Muitas vezes, basta ouvir os primeiros acordes para surgirem os aplausos. Ao longo de três décadas de carreira, Miguel Gameiro teve ainda oportunidade de partilhar experiências com alguns dos grandes nomes da música portuguesa, como Jorge Palma e Luís Represas. Dessas relações, guarda aprendizagens que vão muito além da música: a humildade, o respeito pela profissão, o amor pela arte e, sobretudo, a importância de manter a verdade em palco. 

O músico recorda momentos em estúdio e conversas que contribuíram para moldar a sua visão sobre a profissão. Uma certeza permanece: a entrega e o respeito pela música devem estar sempre acima de qualquer sucesso passageiro. Também o panorama atual da indústria é muito diferente daquele que os Pólo Norte encontraram quando começaram, em meados dos anos 90. Naquela época, um álbum tinha tempo para crescer. Havia vários singles, apresentações, concertos e espaço para que as músicas conquistassem gradualmente o público e as rádios.

Hoje, a realidade é marcada pela velocidade das plataformas digitais e das redes sociais. Miguel Gameiro identifica ainda uma maior aposta em projetos a solo, num contexto em que manter uma banda exige tempo, ensaios, cumplicidade e maturidade elementos que nem sempre encontram espaço na indústria atual.

Ainda assim, o músico reconhece e valoriza os projetos da nova geração que continuam a apostar no conceito de banda e na criação coletiva. Afinal, a cumplicidade entre músicos é, para si, uma parte insubstituível daquilo que torna uma banda especial. E quanto ao futuro dos Pólo Norte? Miguel Gameiro garante que já não existe a preocupação de corresponder às exigências do mercado ou da rádio convencional. Se surgirem novas canções, serão feitas sobretudo a pensar em quem acompanha a banda há décadas. Depois de tantos anos de estrada, aquilo que continua a levar Miguel Gameiro ao palco é, afinal, algo simples: uma sala cheia, a energia do público e a possibilidade de deixar uma boa memória em quem está do outro lado. Que cada pessoa saia de um concerto com uma recordação feliz, uma reflexão ou simplesmente um sentimento positivo. É essa a ambição. E assim, entre canções que resistem ao tempo e novas histórias que continuam a nascer em cada concerto, Miguel Gameiro mantém-se fiel à música e ao público. Porque, tal como diz uma das canções mais emblemáticas dos Pólo Norte, a vida é também um caminho contínuo onde todos continuamos a aprender a ser felizes.

Paulo Perdiz/MS