Tiago Sousa, the new Consul of Portugal in New Bedford, says he feels at home here

NEW BEDFORD – Tiago Sousa, the new Consul of Portugal in New Bedford, said he feels right at home in this region.

“It’s very gratifying to arrive in a foreign country, which despite everything is quite different from Europe and Portugal, and to feel at home because our culture is very much alive and present here,” said Sousa last week, while sitting in his new office at 628 Pleasant St.

Even though this is his first time in the Whaling City, Sousa has an interesting family connection to Massachusetts.

“I am very proud to be the great-grandson of two immigrants from Algarve who came here to Massachusetts, more specifically to Gloucester, in 1914,” revealed Sousa. “So, I have a special affection for this region of Massachusetts.”

Although his family decided to return to Portugal many decades ago, he said he has been visiting Massachusetts since a young age.

“My father was a TAP [Air Portugal] employee and as a child I came with him to Boston several times,” added Sousa. “Therefore, I already knew the area, and I’ve always loved it.”

Hence, when he learned about the consul vacancy in New Bedford, he did not hesitate to apply for the position.

“The fact that there is a strong Portuguese community here was also very appealing,” stressed the diplomat.

Sousa arrived in New Bedford in the middle of August to officially assume his new duties on Aug. 15.

“I am very grateful for the warm welcome the community has given me,” said the consul. “I had the opportunity to take part in the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost, and it was a unique experience that I really enjoyed. The community has encouraged me a lot and wished me success in my new duties.”

Where did Sousa serve before?

A native of Lisbon, Sousa brings with him 18 years of experience in the diplomatic corps.

His career has taken him to several countries, including Ireland, Bulgaria, Senegal and Slovakia. At the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs headquarters in Lisbon, he has served as the coordinator for the commission in charge of registering Portuguese citizens living abroad to vote, and more recently he worked in the protocol division, where he was responsible for organizing the presidential trips and coordinating the visits of foreign dignitaries to Portugal.

What are the priorities of the new consul?

Sousa said one of his priorities will be to build a close relationship with the different communities that make up the New Bedford consular area.

“[I intend] to have a policy of proximity to the communities, to try to support all the activities of our associations and to be present whenever possible,” Sousa said.

He said he’s receptive to opening up the Consulate to events for the community, and helping promote initiatives that not only showcase the community but also what contemporary Portugal has to offer.

“I think it’s very important to bring modernity, because otherwise you’ll end up with the image that Portugal is in the past,” he said. “But there’s obviously room for tradition.”

Yet, his main priority will be keeping the Consulate running as efficiently as possible.

“My idea is to continue with the policies implemented by my predecessors that have worked, and try to optimize them,” he said. “I’m lucky enough to have inherited an excellent team, albeit a reduced one. They do an excellent job despite being so few. We always need more people to provide an optimal service to the community.”

At this moment, he’s not sure if it will be possible to reinstate the Mobile Consular Outreach Service offered before the pandemic, where a consular officer would go to Fall River or Taunton and with the aid of a portable specially equipped computer, he/she would perform consular services, such as processing Citizen Card or Passport requests or renewals.

“It’s something to think about,” he said. “It might be difficult at first because of the reduced number of staff we have, and I think the main cities where there is a Portuguese community are relatively close. Of course, if we had the right conditions, it would be an indisputable point. But I’m still going to evaluate it.”

How is Sousa and his family adapting to New Bedford?

With every new post comes an adaptation period, but Sousa said the transition so far has been going smoothly.

To date, his biggest challenge was to find a place for him, his wife and their two small children to live.

“It wasn’t easy because there are very few houses available on the market to rent, and the rents are very expensive,” he said. “Otherwise, I’ve adapted very well, and I’m lucky enough to live close to work. It’s a great blessing.”

While one of his children will be homeschooled, the other will attend a local public school. But the two kids will be attending evening Portuguese classes at the Discovery Language Academy.

“So, they don’t lose their connection to the Portuguese language,” he said, explaining that at home he speaks Portuguese with his children, while his wife, who is originally from Slovakia, speaks Slovenian with them.

What’s the best way to contact the Consulate?

Sousa said the best way to contact the New Bedford Consulate is via email at newbedford@mne.pt

“Unfortunately, due to the small number of staff, we are unable to answer all the phone calls that come in,” he said.

Although walk-in service is also being offered, it’s best if those who need consular services make an appointment online at https://www.portaldascomunidades.mne.pt/pt/agendamento-online-de-atos-consulares,.

“But the people who come here are also taken care of,” assured the consul.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Meet the new Consul of Portugal in New Bedford Tiago Sousa