Roberto Medeiros is preparing to work on a new book. He spoke to Diário da Lagoa about his latest publication and his work with the diaspora.

DL: How has the book “Antes Que a Memória Se Apague II – Crónicas de Água de Pau” been received?

Very well. It has lived up to my expectations, as the people of Água de Pau have shown that they are still interested in learning about their history. And also people who live outside Água de Pau and in the Azorean diaspora.

DL: The book was also launched in the United States.

Yes, I did three launches. And at all three, I always had a lot of people. First, at the Cotali Mar restaurant in New Bedford, the second at Portugália Marketplace, and the third at the Casa da Saudade library in New Bedford, that is, twice in New Bedford and twice in Fall River. And I always had an enthusiastic audience who wanted to know more. They asked me when the book would be published in English, and I explained that, for the time being, it has not been published in English because the chronicles were obtained through oral interviews with people of a certain age, including some centenarians.

DL: Does that reveal an interest on the part of younger generations?

Yes. I explained that the chronicles are all published in Portuguese, so that the people who gave me these chronicles can still read the book in Portuguese, since they were Portuguese, Azoreans, and Pauenses who told me these stories, people who are now living in America, Brazil, Australia, California…

DL: Where can the book be found?

I left the book for sale at Portugália Marketplace in Fall River, and also at David Loureiro’s hair salon. Here on the island of São Miguel, people can contact me on Facebook to purchase the book, or at DS Seguros, in Água de Pau, at Rua da Trindade nº 4, or at the local gas station.

DL: Are you still an ambassador for Azorean culture in the United States of America (USA)?

Yes, I am. Recently, a delegation of students from the Rabo de Peixe school traveled with me, and we spent ten days in the USA.

DL: Did they enjoy it?

Yes, they did, and they prepared some theater and music performances that were also associated with the launch and the places where we participated. So everything went very well, and because of that, I went on television, on the Azorean diaspora channels. Then I also had a meeting with the president of the great festivities of the Holy Spirit, who asked me to collaborate.

DL: What projects do you have for the future?

Craftsmen will be traveling with me in August to present their work in the United States. They are from Água de Pau, Ponta Delgada, Praia da Vitória, and Porto.

People seek me out because I don’t just talk, I do. It’s very different. I do it because I have friends, I have people in America with whom I have signed several collaboration agreements, and who, after I left the council, asked me, “Don’t leave us, just tell us what you need.” And when I get there, I have a car and everything I need. That’s why I continue to work with the communities and with our schools in São Miguel and with the artisans of the Azores. So I always have to do what I can because I like doing it.

DL: You already have two books published. Are people already asking for the third?

Yes, in April 2026, I’m going to launch my next, third book, “Antes que memória se apague” (Before Memory Fades), which will be about metaphors, typical expressions, and nicknames from Água de Pau. Because in the old days, everyone in Água de Pau was called João, José, Manuel, Artur, that is, the names were always the same, so to distinguish them, we had to give them nicknames. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

DL: And then comes the fourth book?

In 2027, it will be solely about the history of Água de Pau. From the settlement to the present day, the historical part.

Last week, in America, I spoke to my sponsor about supporting a book on communities. He’s a friend I have in America, a businessman who assured me that I already have some support. And I do, because people see the work that’s been done.

In fact, on this last trip, I had a funny experience that is also related to Diário da Lagoa.

We stopped over in Lisbon on our way from Boston, and while we were waiting for our flight to Ponta Delgada, we met two couples, who are from here in São Miguel, elderly people. And we started talking about the book. And one of them said, “There’s also a journalist who writes for Diário da Lagoa about the stories of Água de Pau.”

And I asked, “What’s the journalist’s name?” To which he replied, “Roberto Medeiros.” I burst out laughing, of course, and replied, “That’s me” [laughter].

He then said to me, “I thought it was a town hall newspaper.” I told him: “No, the Diário da Lagoa is an independent newspaper, it’s not run by the town hall.”

DL: So, the overall impression is very positive?

It has been very positive. I have been a vehicle for connecting people’s commitment to culture and education. And I have been lucky to have good friends, because when they also travel to the Azores, we welcome them warmly. Wherever I go, I always value the work of the local authority and the mayors of Lagoa, because without the support of the City Council, I would not have left here. At the time and in the beginning, as well as after 2010, when I left the City Council, I continued to do exactly what I did before. For example, the nativity scene exhibitions. And now, when I arrive in the US in August, I will buy tickets to return there in November to set up the Lagoa nativity scene again at the Portugália Marketplace and the Casa da Saudade library. I have one nativity scene with 500 pieces and another with 850 pieces. All this to promote the culture of Lagoa, the nativity scenes, and the puppet makers of Lagoa. So there’s a lot I still want to do before my memory fades.

In Diário da Lagoa Clife Botelho, director.

Below is a link to the book presentation by RTP-Açores.

https://acores.rtp.pt/cultura/novo-livro-de-roberto-medeiros-lancado-em-agua-de-pau/

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.