While the Franco-Portuguese Fomel Association was on the verge of closure, the latter found a permanent status and secured its future.
The Franco-Portuguese Fomel Association was struggling a bit and was on the verge of closing its doors due to a lack of volunteers at the end of last year. Fortunately, thanks to the mobilization of a small group of people, its sustainability was ensured and François Gomes became its new president.
On the occasion of the reopening of the building and after the change of office, last Sunday the volunteers organized “Uma Feijoada” (Portuguese cassoulet) in an atmosphere of humor and harmony with about forty people. On this occasion, Jean-Louis Costes, Mayor of Fomel, wished the Association a long life and expressed his happiness to see the Association continuing its openness.
“I agreed to introduce myself, because I saw that there were Portuguese people interested in the sustainability of the building and the association. We will start working with new ideas because I want to revive it, but first, I want to ensure continuity.
“We will try to develop the association and first complete its name to call it the Franco-Portuguese Association or Douro in reference to the river that separates Portugal and Spain and which brought the wine crops to make port.”
François Gomes has been a volunteer for 30 years, and former secretary of the association. He was flanked by Rose Gonsalves, the new vice president, Belmiro Gomez, treasurer, and Nathalie de Gravier, secretary. They don't know each other well yet, but they will quickly get to know each other.
“The association will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024, and we would really like people other than us to get involved in trying to raise awareness among the Portuguese about their origins and history,” says François.
François Gomes: 06 47 99 53 43 – 16, rue Metairie-Basse-Fumille
Membership card: 15 euros.
From our correspondent Dominique Mécar.
