The Government of the Azores marks the International Migrants Day next Thursday, December 18, with an initiative that will be held at the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Congress Centre to foster and promote cultural diversity in the Region.

Organised in partnership with the Azores Immigrant Association (AIPA) with the support of Angra do Heroísmo City Hall, the event also aims to provide a space for dialogue, interaction and sharing of experiences among all migrants.

In addition to promoting intercultural interaction, the programme, which starts at 7 PM, also includes musical performances from Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, Moldova and the Azores, featuring several artists: Cacau, Rubeshe Santos, Humberto Furtado, the trio Pingo Grapiuna, Viorel Taranu and Tarcísio and the groups “Nós Bandera” and “B-Unit." The event will also include "cantigas ao desafio" (song duels) featuring Samuel Borges and José Esteves, accompanied by Emanuel Coelho and José Manuel.

With this initiative, the Cabinet of the Regional Under Secretary for External Relations, through the Regional Directorate for Communities, intends to promote a better relation and understanding among the different peoples and cultures residing in the archipelago by fostering interculturalism and acknowledging the importance of the life path of all migrants.

The International Migrants Day, celebrated annually on December 18, was proclaimed in 2000 by the General Assembly of the United Nations with the aim of raising the awareness of the international community for the defence of the rights of migrants worldwide. Therefore, it is an opportunity to encourage the international community to adopt good practices that promote the inclusion of migrants.