Today I met the very talented Luso-Americano artist Julio Rodrigues and his wife Maria at the Nova Alianca Bakery in the #Ironbound District of Newark, New Jersey. We met so that he could give me his donation to the silent auction to benefit the SousaMendesFoundation Gala "A Toast to Freedom".
Just take a look at some of Julio's works...absolutely wonderful! Julio handed me the view of the Casa do Passal in Cabanas di Viriato, Portugal wrapped in brown paper ready for transport and then he presented me with a memento.
He said, "I was stunned when I saw your parents, Hala and Ignas with little Yvonne in front of the same Forte Santa Catarina in Figueira da Foz and I knew I had to give this to you." (See image below.)
What can I say about the Portuguese people, except the tradition of warmth and generosity that my parents experienced during their 20 months in Figueira da Foz (June 1940 - January 1942) is still alive.
Water color of Forte Santa Caterina, Figueira da Foz, Portugal by Julio Rodrigues
Ignas, Hala and Yvonne in her Carnival Dress Forte Santa Caterina, Figueira da Foz, 1941
