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History of the Portuguese Vegetarian Societies



The first reference, currently known, to a Portuguese Vegetarian Society is the May 1911 issue of the Vegetarian Messenger (VSUK magazine), it also mentions their magazine: O Vegetariano

There appears to have been no involvement with IVU at that time, the first appearance of a delegate from Portugal was at the 1923 IVU Congress, held in Stockholm, Sweden. Some extracts from the report of that Congress:

... After extending a hearty welcome to all, he called upon the Hon. Congress Secretary, Madame Lombard (Stockholm), to read the Roll Call of the Delegates. Each rose as his or her name was called. The following is a full list : ... Portugal - Capt. Antonio Cavalho Brandao ; ...
... We give the full list of papers in alphabetical order :- ... Capt. Antonio Cavalho Brandao on " Vegetarianism in Portugal." ...
... The Chairman said that, owing to the great disturbance caused by the War the Committee felt as if we ought almost to make a new beginning and that the Constitution would need some alteration. He invited members for the International Vegetarian Unon and the delegates from the following countries expressed their desire to join :- ... Portugal, ...

- and some extracts from reports of the next Congress, 1926, in London, England:

... the delegates were introduced to the assembly, and the following is the order in which they responded to the roll call ... Dr. Branco (Portugal), ...
... a Paper was also submitted by Dr. BENTES CASTELO BRANCO, of Portugal. ...

The reports of further IVU Congresses up to 1950 make no mention of Portugal.

- - -

1958 - The Vegetarian World Forum, July 1958, carried a complete list of IVU " Affiliated Societies - and others in association with the I.V.U." These included: Sociedad Vegetariana de Portugal, Large jos Loios 50, Oporto

1960 - Sociedade Portuguesa de Naturologia first mentioned

From the minutes of the business meeting at the 1960 IVU Congress, held in Hannover, Germany:

Vice Presidents elected: ... Dr Angelo da Costa Cabral (Portugal), ...

[from the IVU Committee Meeting prior to the Congress] It was agreed that Spain and Portugal should be asked to nominate Vice Presidents to represent their countries.

From the minutes of the business meeting at the 1963 IVU Congress, held in Barcelona, Spain:

In the presence of Official Delegates from ... Portugal, ... GREETINGS were announced from Societies in ... Portugal, ...

[from the IVU Committee Meeting after the Congress] Correspondence with Dr Cabral (elected Vice President for Portugal) was reported concerning opposition to his appointment - the General Secretary was asked to request the President to make inquiries about the rival factions in Portugal and to be kind enough to report at the next meeting.

[from the IVU Committee meeting in April 1964] AFFILIATION The applicatons were approved of: ... The Ordem Esoterica Inicatica of Lisbon, Portugal ... PORTUGUESE VEGETARIAN MOVEMENT The President, having spoken with Professor Cabral (Vice President), explained the situation in Portugal and it was agreed that the Portuguese Vegetarian Society might nominate another Vice President to represent the new group. ...

1964 - Ord Esoterica, Portugal first mentioned

From the minutes of the business meeting at the 1965 IVU Congress, held in Swanwick, England:

... The Business Sessions opened on Sunday morning 29 August under the Chairmanship of the President, the Marquis de St Innocent, who welcomed delegates from ... Portugal, ...
... THE ANNUAL REPORT was presented by the General Secretary and a warm welcome was given to Societies which had Affiliated since the last Congress. ... Ord Esoterica of Portugal, ...
Vice Presidents: ... Prof A de Costa Cabral (Portugal), ...
... An interesting new development was the suggestion that smaller International Gatherings might be held in any country so that holidaymakers could gather at an agreed centre for pleasure and some lectures - the country concerned bearing the cost and making the arrangements, Portugal was asked to try to organize such a centre in 1966, ...
...The President announced that he and the General Secretary would be visiting Portugal next year to assist in organizing their International Meeting, ...
... SOCIETY REPORTS: The Congress greatly appreciated the interesting reports of activities in various Member countries. From: ... Prof Angelo da Costa (Portugal), ...

[from the IVU Committee Meeting during the Congress] ... Congress 1967: The Secretary said he had had firm invitations to hold the next Congress in Holland & Portugal, ...

[from the IVU Committee Meeting after the Congress] ... Portuguese Vice President. Mr Andre Rodrigues being proposed by the Sociedade Portuguese de Naturalogia the Secretary said he had questioned the two Portuguese factions & had elicited the fact that Mr Rodriguez had been a vegetarian for only two or three months, & that the leader of the Sociedade was not a vegetarian. The nomination was not accepted. ... ...Israel & Portugal: it was reported that the President & Secretary were prepared to visit Israel & Portugal to gather information & encourage national gatherings. ...

From the minutes of the business meeting at the 1971 IVU Congress, held in The Hague, The Netherlands:

The countries attending the event were: ... Portugal, ...

From the minutes of the business meeting at the 1975 IVU Congress, held in Maine, USA:

Honorary Vice Presidents:- ...Portugal - Prof.A.M.G. da Costa Cabral;
[from the list of member societies] Assoc.Nat.Portuguesa; Ordem Esoterica Iniciata (Portugal)

From the minutes of the business meeting at the 1979 IVU Congress, held in Loughborough, England:

HON.Vice-Presidents: ... Prof.A.M.G.da Costa Cabral (Portugal); ...
[from the list of member societies] Assoc.Nat.Portuguesa; Ordem Esoterica Iniciata (Portugal)

From the minutes of the 1982 IVU Congress in Neu Elm, Germany:

Reports were presented from the following societies:- ... Portuguese Vegetarian Society - Mrs J.Petersen ...

From the minutes of the IVU Council Meeting, August, 1989:

World Congress, 1992: Mr.Mehta offered India as a venue and there was also an offer from Portugal. Lack of contact with the Portuguese for many years made it difficult to assess the potential of the offer.

There has been no representation by Portugal at any subsequent Congress.

For Societies in Portugal today go www.ivu.org and select Portugal from the drop down menu for Europe - that will find all results in English, but there will also be some results which are only available in Portuguese so try changing the language if you can read it.

If you have any more information about anything on this page please contact John Davis - webmaster@ivu.org