The Regional Director of Communities announced in Winnipeg, Canada, the creation of the Emanuel Félix Programme. This initiative not only aims to "promote Azorean authors and their literary works," but also to "disseminate the Region, especially among second and third generations of emigrants of Azorean descent and the English-speaking public in general.”

"This support programme to the translation of works by Azorean authors will contribute to the dissemination of Azorean culture and, simultaneously, meet the needs of the new generations in the Diaspora communities, especially of those who, being the descendants of Azorean emigrants, were born outside the Azores and do not speak Portuguese. Nevertheless, they remain attached to the rich cultural heritage of their roots," said Paulo Teves.

Under the Emanuel Félix Programme, the Government of the Azores will support the translation of Azorean authors for publication in Canada, United States of America and Bermuda.
"Given their recognised quality, the values of the Azores in the field of literature should go beyond the borders of our communities and embrace the societies where Azorean emigrants live," stressed the Regional Director.

The name of this programme is a tribute to Terceira-born poet, essayist and author Emanuel Félix Borges da Silva, who passed away in 2004. He is considered as an Azorean literary reference of the second half of the 20th century.

The Regional Director for Communities spoke at the opening session of the Cultural Week promoted by the House of the Azores of Winnipeg. He reminded that "the Government of the Azores has paid special attention to the promotion and dissemination of Azorean youngsters as well as of works depicting on regional themes in the Diaspora communities, particularly through the delivery of books to all Houses of the Azores on a regular basis."

"The Houses of the Azores are privileged spaces for the dissemination of our Region in several areas. They all have a well-stocked library with hundred of books, being available not only to Azorean emigrant, but also to those who wish to deepen their knowledge on the Region, our culture and our authors," stressed Paulo Teves. For the government official, the Emanuel Félix Programme "will enable the dissemination of this rich cultural heritage to an even wider audience."

During the visit doing to Canada, the Regional Director for Communities participated in the Cultural Week of the House of the Azores of Quebec last Sunday. On Wednesday, he will take part in the celebrations of the Cultural Week promoted by the House of the Azores of Ontario.  After his visit to Canada, Paulo Teves will travel to the United States of America, where he will participate in the celebrations of the 23rd anniversary of the House of the Azores of New England as well as in the annual Portuguese American Citizenship Project (PACP) to be held in the State of New Jersey.