Lorena Comparato, from ‘Rensga Hits!’, talks about her Portuguese origins and her return to the country 22 years later | Trip

Lorena ComparatoGláucia de Rensga Hits! She was raised in Brazil, but was born in Lisbon, Portugal, where she always tries to return. Directly from Portuguese lands, the actress – who is in a long-distance relationship with lawyer Arthur Deucher (currently living in the USA), spoke to Who about its origins and gave some travel tips for those who want to know a little more about the European country.

In which city were you born in Portugal?
I was born in the Lisbon maternity ward, but as we lived in Sintra, my mother registered me there thinking I would grow up, saying I was born in Sintra. The rest of my life I spent saying “I was born in Lisbon, but I was registered in Sintra”. Super literally like a good Portuguese woman (laughs).

When did you move to Brazil and what memories did you have of Portugal?
I went to Brazil when I was six years old. I have many incredible memories of Portugal. I was born in a house called Casa das Minas, where the filmmaker Glauber Rocha had already lived, but I remember little about that house. I remember most of the house I lived in for most of my childhood called Casa do Cipreste. There I have great memories of running in the garden, of my childhood with my sisters, of my mother working and cooking delicious food and my father writing in the office.

I loved standing at the front door saying “hi” to cars and I became “the girl from Rua do Roseiral”. I remember a lot about outdoor walks, but all in the intense cold: the fair, Praia das Maças, parks like Serra da Estrela and the schools I studied. Portugal had a big impact on me and I have great affection for all these memories, including the language that I have the accent of and the dear friendships that I still have contact with today.

What was it like to recover your origins later?
Recovering your origins is always very exciting, especially when you live so far away from them. I confess that it took me many years to return to Portugal, my homeland. As it was always very expensive, I ended up returning only 22 years after I left. In 2018 I visited Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais with my mother and it was very exciting to revisit many places I grew up in and never went back to.

Was the look different?
The look you have when you are an adult is completely different and it mixes with childhood memories. We came to Europe for the wedding of my childhood friend from Portugal and we decided to go on a trip bringing back memories. We went to the house I grew up in – which still has visitors today because of the particular architecture of the Portuguese architect Raul Lino – and I cried, very moved by the experience. Today I bring back other memories. My dear Beth Calmon, Bada, always visited me here in Portugal and now I’m visiting my Portuguese/Brazilian godson, like me.

Was that the reason for the trip?
I’m spending a few days in Porto. I had been needing to take a few days off for a while and I ended up coming to the city where my college friends live to finally meet my godson Yan, who was born two years ago. Me, Júlia and Rodrigo, the parents, met in the second period of PUC-Rio college and almost immediately afterwards they started dating. They are still together today, in 2021 they had Yan and gave me the gift of being this little one’s godmother. I came for a walk, to help the couple, to see a little about their lives and finally to meet my godson in person. It’s very special to see him in person.

And what has the experience of being a godmother been like?
My dinda, Bada, made several traditions that I tried to continue. She brought cookies from Brazil, walked with me on the beach even when it was cold and accompanied me on my daily adventures. She also brought mate and biscuits for Yan and his longing friends, but nowadays they have almost everything in Portugal. The market even has a Brazil section. It has been exciting to follow their lives. I have some work commitments, but when I can I have enjoyed: going to the market, swimming lessons, taking them to the park, going to the beach…

What places did you visit this time?
On this trip I even thought about going for a walk – going to Sintra, Lisbon or Cascais – but I decided to stay almost 20 days straight in Porto. I have spent most of my days following the daily life of my godson and my friends here. I’ve been walking around the city more with Julia and Yan and getting to know the places they usually go.

How many times have you been to Portugal?
After my permanent return to Brazil in 1996, this is my third time returning to Portugal. As the country is small, I like to try to travel to different cities. I usually stay between Lisbon and Cascais, but I’ve sailed in the south and walked a lot in the north.

What would you recommend for those who really want to get to know Portugal beyond the usual tourist itineraries?
I’m staying in Gaia, which would be like going from Niterói to Rio de Janeiro, on the other side of the bridge, but Porto itself is delicious. I love the edge of the Luís I Bridge called Ribeira, where there are several bars, shops and attractions, but it is quite touristy. For Portugal, I highly recommend: coming to Porto; Lisbon with all the delicious gastronomic tours; take a train to Cascais, which I love for the calmer climate; go to Sintra to eat delicious sweets from Periquita and visit Serra da Estrela, which is a beautiful natural park.

I also think the coast is wonderful, so it’s worth sailing. I went to the South, but the whole country is worth it. Finally, a dream of mine is to visit the Azores, an archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that has incredible places to visit. I would love to take a boat trip there. Imagine what maximum? Now only on the next trip because this one is already coming to an end.