The New Bedford Standard Times”
Sunday, March 4, 2001
Cod feasts fund gift books
By Pedro Amaral
Special Feature Staff writer

Less than nine months after its creation, the New England Cod Academy already has bought 250 book copies to offer to libraries and schools in the area. The book of choice is Dorling Kindersley's "Travel Guides: Portugal with Madeira and the Azores." According to Frederico Pacheco, group vice president, it is the best descriptive book of all regions of Portugal.

"This is the most comprehensive book about Portugal and its islands. We looked for a book that is easily understandable, accurate and of good quality, and we found it," Mr. Pacheco said. Cod academies are social gatherings, centered on a monthly cod dinner. The first of such academies was founded in 1970 by a group of Madeiran emigrants in South Africa. Today, more than 30 groups all over the world have meetings once a month to socialize and feast on the appetizing cod.

From left, Afonso da Silva, Treasurer; Frederico Pacheco, Vice-President;
and Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva, President

The New England Academy was founded in July 4 of last year, and it boasts more then 250 members. The gatherings take place in different restaurants and social clubs in the area. Last month, the group met at Bristol Sports Club in Bristol R.I., and on the 19th of this month it will meet at Beira Alta restaurant in Fall River. The meal costs $20 per person, and it includes wine or soft drinks.

"There is no membership fee, but all the members, including the directors, pay for their meals," Dr. Manuel L. Da Silva said. "After we pay the expenses, any money left is put aside to buy books. We chose to buy books in English about the history, the arts and the culture of Portugal because we want our children and their children to read about Portugal in their native language

"Dr. Da Silva, who presides over the group, said the academy could have chosen to give scholarships, like most organizations, but it chose to buy books instead, in order to reach a greater number of people. "I've nothing against scholarships, but in our case a scholarship we would reach only one person at a time. This way, we can reach thousands of people of all ages. This is the most accurate book in history, culinary, architecture and the music of Portugal, and we will continue to look for books of similar quality in the future."

Dr. Da Silva said other than the meal, every month the group dedicates a few minutes to a special person, dead or alive. "We remembered, for example, Joseph Raposo, a Fall River native, famous in the music world; Arestides Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul who saved thousands of Jews from Hitler's death grip; the Abade Correia da Serra, the priest who taught Thomas Jefferson everything about agriculture; Peter Francisco, the Revolutionary War hero; and John Philip Sousa, the king of marches. Next month we will speak of Prince Henry the navigator and his influence in the world."

Mr. Pacheco pointed to the people talking in groups throughout the room after the feast had ended. "It is this always this way. People stay until the end, and they don't hurry out. They prolong the evening as much as they can. This is great because it is done in a casual and relaxed atmosphere where people (can) mingle and have a good time," he said.

"This is fantastic; we don't have to advertise or ask for people to come, and we always have a full house. We only ask of them to let us know a couple of days before the event, so we can prepare enough food for everyone. We tell a few jokes, we read poetry, we gab and we laugh. We all have a good time, and it is for a good cause."

For more information, log onto http://www.academyofcodfish.com