Duas Pátrias

A periodical publication directed by Joaquim António Matias, Duas Pátrias circulated between 1954 and 1958, with the primary objective of strengthening cultural, historical, and intellectual ties between Portugal and Brazil. The magazine emerged in a context where both countries sought to deepen their bilateral relations, based on a shared historical heritage, symbolized by the Portuguese language and the cultural legacies they both preserved.

Published during Portugal's Estado Novo regime and under the governments of Getúlio Vargas (followed by Juscelino Kubitschek) in Brazil, Duas Pátrias served as a vehicle for promoting understanding and cooperation between these two Lusophone nations. The magazine’s title reflected the idea of a common destiny, rooted in the concept of a "Lusophone world" that transcended national borders.

The magazine positioned itself as a cultural documentary, addressing shared areas of interest, with a strong focus on literature, history, arts, economics, and science. It also functioned as a platform for political and ideological discourse, aiming to sustain the idea of a Luso-Brazilian civilization, often contrasted with Anglo-Saxon cultural influences and the Cold War context.

The digital editions, available at the Hemeroteca Digital de Lisboa, feature a diverse collection of articles, essays, reports, and illustrations. Some key highlights include:

• Reflections on Shared History: Narratives celebrating Luso-Brazilian relations since the colonial period, including the transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil in 1808 and Brazil’s independence in 1822.
• Promotion of Lusophone Literature: Studies on Portuguese and Brazilian writers and poets, with a special focus on authors who emphasized the cultural ties between both countries.
• Debates on Culture and Identity: Essays exploring Luso-Brazilian identity as a unifying cultural and political factor in the Lusophone world.

• Economic Perspectives: Articles analyzing trade and economic exchange opportunities between Portugal and Brazil.

   

• Inaugural Edition (1954): An introduction to the magazine, emphasizing Luso-Brazilian fraternity and the importance of cultural exchange.
• Subsequent Editions (1955-1958): Expanded discussions on themes such as the role of the Portuguese language as a unifying factor and the relevance of Brazil and Portugal in preserving cultural values in modern times.

The magazine Duas Pátrias was contemporary to Gilberto Freyre and his Luso-Tropicalist theories, which strongly influenced Luso-Brazilian cultural and political thought in the 20th century. Freyre developed the idea that Portugal had a "special vocation" for miscegenation and cultural integration in tropical regions, arguing that Portuguese colonization was "more humane" and supposedly less segregational compared to other colonial powers.

This theory gained prominence in the 1950s, precisely when Duas Pátrias was being published (1954-1958). During this period, Salazar’s Estado Novo regime appropriated Freyre’s ideas to legitimize Portuguese colonialism and project an idealized image of Portugal as a pluricontinental and multicultural nation. Luso-Tropicalism was used to reinforce the narrative that Portugal’s presence in Africa, Asia, and South America was not only legitimate but also beneficial and distinct from other colonial empires.

While there is no direct evidence that Gilberto Freyre collaborated with Duas Pátrias, the magazine was ideologically aligned with his theories. The celebration of Luso-Brazilian ties, the emphasis on shared heritage, and the defense of a global Lusophone culture clearly reflect Luso-Tropicalist influences.

Duas Pátrias was not only a product of its time but also a publication aligned with Freyre’s thought, using his theories to reinforce Estado Novo’s narrative and strengthen symbolic ties between Portugal and Brazil.

The magazine’s editions are available in digital format at the Hemeroteca Digital de Lisboa.

Sources: 

https://hemerotecadigital.cm-lisboa.pt/periodicos/DuasPatrias/DuasPatrias.htm