Vasco Cordeiro invites communities to know the Azores built over the last 40 years
The President of the Government invited emigrant communities in São Paulo, Brazil, to visit the Azores of today, highlighting the path of development and progress that the Azoreans have built over four decades of Autonomy.
"If it is true that we take great pride in what our communities have built in host countries, it is also important to mention the pride we have in what the Azores are today and in what the Azoreans who chose not to emigrate have built on our nine islands," said Vasco Cordeiro.
The President of the Government spoke Friday at a meeting with the Azorean community at the House of the Azores of São Paulo at the end of the third day of the official visit to Brazil, which began in the State of Santa Catarina.
"One of the purposes of this visit is to get you to know and challenge you to know the Azores of today, not only in terms of their challenges but also in terms of opportunities," said Vasco Cordeiro.
According to him, the Region, especially over the last 40 years, has followed a path of development by improving infrastructures, education and health as well as by creating a favourable environment for job creation and wealth generation.
"We certainly have challenges, but the path we have taken must also be a source of pride for our Azorean emigrant communities and for all those who love the Azores," stressed the President of the Government.
In this "celebration of the Azores and the Azorean spirit," Vasco Cordeiro also took the opportunity to highlight the pride "in the manner communities bring our traditions, our culture and our identity to life. In the case of Brazil, this is especially visible in one of the important aspects of the Azorean identity, which is the cult of the Holy Spirit."
"The message of sharing, solidarity and unity conveyed in these festivities also embodies the celebration of the Azores and the Azoreans," said the President of the Government.
This Saturday, the last day of the official visit to Brazil, will be dedicated to a meeting with the Azorean community of Rio de Janeiro and to the launch of the book "Uma Página sobre Vitorino Nemésio" (A Page on Vitorino Nemésio).
At the invitation of Vasco Cordeiro, the Azorean delegation will include the Presidents of the Municipal Councils of Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória, which are twinned cities with Florianópolis, capital of the State of Santa Catarina. It also includes the members of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, José San-Bento (PS), António Soares Marinho (PSD) and Alonso Miguel (CDS/PP).