WATSONVILLE >> The Portuguese flag could be flying outside the Watsonville Civic Plaza for a week in June if approved by the City Council at its Tuesday meeting.

In 2021, the council adopted a commemorative flag policy to allow commemorative flags to be flown outside Civic Plaza alongside the American, state and city flags, if requested by a council member and approved by an affirmative vote of at least four members. In this case, the request was brought forth by Councilman Jimmy Dutra to display the Portuguese flag the week of June 10 to 17 in honor of Portuguese Heritage Month.

Portuguese Heritage Month was first recognized in Canada in 2017, and in 2021, California congressmen Jim Costa and David Valadao introduced a resolution to observe it in the United States. The month of June was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the 1580 death of Luis Vaz de Camões, a poet widely known for his epic poem “Os Lusíadas,” which detailed the history of Portugal in poetic verse. In Portugal, June 10 is designated as Portugal Day in honor of Camões.

The month is intended to be a celebration of Portuguese history and culture, particularly those of Portuguese immigrants, many of whom came to Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and brought their customs along with them. ManyPortuguese immigrants also found homes in California.

Watsonville itself has a large Portuguese community, as it is home to the ISTWN Portuguese Hall on Atkinson Lane and, since 2021, has had a sister city partnership with the São Jorge Island municipality of Velas, located in the Azores archipelago. Delegations from Velas have visited Watsonville several times over the years.

“Portuguese Heritage Month is a time to celebrate culture, traditions, and history of Portugal and its diaspora,” per the resolution.

The resolution is the only business item on Tuesday’s agenda, but Mayor Maria Orozco will be issuing proclamations recognizing April as Arts, Culture and Creativity Month as well as Empower Watsonville youth leadership and the team behind Nerdville, the city’s annual pop culture convention. Consent agenda items include an amendment to the consultant contract with Pacific Crest Engineering, Inc. for special inspection, testing, and geotechnical engineering services on the Ramsay Park Improvements Project and an agreement with the owner of the Sunshine Garden subdivision to maintain and repair stormwater facilities.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on the top floor of the Watsonville City Council Chambers, 275 Main St.