The Regional Director for Communities defended effective participation of communities of Azorean descent in the promotion of transatlantic relations in commercial, social and academic areas. The government official also emphasised the work that has been carried out in the preservation of Azorean culture in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

"The Azores of today need their communities to strengthen relations between various actors and boost their potentialities among host societies," stressed Paulo Teves during the speech he delivered at the House of the Azores of Rio Grande do Sul on Thursday night.

Paulo Teves stressed the effort undertaken by Azorean communities throughout the world in the essential contribution to the "consolidation of the Azores and 'Azoreanity' in the world."

"Azorean communities and of Azorean descent Brazil and, specifically, those residing in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, have demonstrated a high sense of responsibility regarding the Azores. At this point, they play a major role in the dissemination of various areas and opportunities the Azores have to offer," stressed the government official.

For the Regional Director, "it is now time to strengthen Azorean presence in the world with actions that go beyond the preservation of Azorean cultural identity."

In addition to the meetings with the Portuguese Cultural Institute in Porto Alegre, the Secretary for Culture of Porto Alegre, the Secretary for Culture of Rio Grande do Sul and the Vice-Consul of Portugal in Porto Alegre, Paulo Teves also met with the Mayor of Gravataí, a city celebrating its 250th anniversary. The House of the Azores of Rio Grande do Sul is headquartered in this city.

During these meetings, the government official highlighted the active role of several partner organisations of the Regional Government in the promotion and dissemination of the Azorean cultural heritage that has been present in this State for over 260 years.

On Friday, Paulo Teves will meet with the House of the Azores of São Paulo and with the Azorean community residing in that Brazilian state.

The government official will begin his visit to the State of Santa Catarina on Saturday. He has scheduled meetings with Santa Catarina Federal University, the Mayor of Florianópolis, the Franklin de Cascaes Cultural Foundation and the Historical and Geographical Institute. Furthermore, the Regional Director will also meet with the board of the House of the Azores of Santa Catarina and the community of Azorean descent.