In the context of the 25-year existence of the Community of Portuguese Countries (CPLP), the diplomat highlighted the work that Brazil is doing in the projection of the Portuguese language, with an emphasis on the Rede Brasil Cultural, now called Rede de Ensino do Itamaraty, whose “vocation is to promote and spread the Portuguese language and Brazilian culture abroad ”.

According to Costa Filho, it was one of the main tools used by Brazil to promote the Portuguese language, present in more than 40 countries on five continents.

“Through this network, Portuguese courses are offered in all their aspects. Portuguese can be taught as a foreign language, heritage language or as a foreign language. Thus, all of these emphases are present in this effort. The network also takes into account with readers, that is, professors who work in foreign universities within the framework of this action, ”he explained.

Along with this learning network, Itamarati, as the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is known, has an annual program of events in Portuguese held abroad by embassies, consulates and missions around the world.

“As an example of action in this area, we are promoting the celebration of World Portuguese Language Day every year. In 2021, during May, 124 events were held in 56 positions in 48 countries. These events include conferences, debates, releases of films, videos, books, magazines , virtual platforms, literary contests ”, in particular, the ambassador told in detail.

<< This is a very broad effort that Brazil, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is undertaking to promote the Portuguese language abroad. (...) This is a work that has proven to be successful and to which Brazil attributes great importance, ”he said.

Among the main beneficiaries of the educational network offered by the South American country, the diplomat named foreign students who intend to study in Brazil and who will use these Portuguese courses to prepare for the period in which they will live in the country.

Ronaldo Costa Filho has been one of Brazil’s main proponents of the importance that the promotion of the Portuguese language can and should have.

However, the ambassador stressed that the work to be done by the CPLP “never ends” and that “there is always something to do” in this regard.

“This is a permanent job. This is not to say that we have fulfilled the task of spreading the Portuguese language around the world. (…) Brazil and the CPLP members are all part of the international community, and the international reality demands that we know each other better, so we can help each other and cooperate. And the spread of the Portuguese language is part of that effort, ”he said.

“Here at the United Nations, all CPLP missions have a very good relationship and we try to work together whenever possible. Of course, the goals and interests of the nine members do not always coincide, but whenever possible we work together, ”he admitted.

Regarding the consumption of Portuguese-language culture such as literature or music, Costa Filho said that it is not uncommon in New York, the North American city where he lives, to end up listening to Portuguese-language music that is broadcast in various media.

“This happens often. But this is not easy, because it is not a language with great traditions in this area. We come across other languages ​​that have more penetration into the distribution of their music and works, such as English, French or Italian. But progress is being made. It is happening gradually and only confirms what I said earlier that the work will never be completed, ”he said.

Answering the question about the non-ratification of the spelling agreement by all CPLP countries, Ronaldo Costa Filho said that the agreement is “an attempt to preserve the harmony of the language in their different countries, but reality also requires itself.”

“I think that the language develops and grows under the pressure of its use by the population. I know, for example, that even the proliferation of Brazilian soap operas influenced the way Portuguese is spoken in Portugal. It has an impact. the language is many times more dynamic than the spelling convention, ”he added.

As for the future of the Portuguese language, the ambassador “has no doubt that it is positive.”

<< The Portuguese language is one of the most widely spoken in the world (...) and it has a wealth and vitality that makes it an indisputable tool for bringing people together. We must continue to provide strength and support to always be like that, ”he concluded.

The 13th CPLP Summit of Heads of State and Government will take place on Friday and Saturday in Luanda, Angola, the country that assumes the duties of the organization’s president.

The CPLP includes Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, and Timor Leste.