The Regional Director for Communities praised the role played by several generations of emigrants and their descendants, who have contributed to the development of the city of Winnipeg, the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the street name plate "Rua Açores" on one of the major roads of that city, Paulo Teves emphasised the "prestige and pride" it represents for the entire Portuguese community residing in this Canadian province, not only for Azoreans and their descendants, but also for the Region where they were born.

"This action confirms the deserved public recognition of local entities regarding the relevance of the Azorean community in the development and prosperity of the city of Winnipeg," stated Paulo Teves.

For the Regional Director, "such events bring prestige to Azorean communities, enhancing the Region's visibility and promoting Portugal in its Atlantic dimension."

Currently, over 30,000 Portuguese citizens live in the city of Winnipeg, of whom more than a half are from the Azores.

This community began to settle in this Canadian region in the mid 50s of the 20th century. Emigrants held occupations in different professional sectors, such as railways and, later on, the textile industry and construction.

"However, the dream of these Azoreans was not limited to work. It was necessary to revive and share traditions and customs as a form of assertion towards other ethnic groups already established in the community," said the Regional Director for Communities.

In his speech, Paulo Teves recalled "the commitment and effort of the entire community" in providing the facilities that have become "meeting points for our emigrants as well as an important spaces for the dissemination of the culture that gives us our distinctive identity."

The Regional Director also noted the "important role" played by the House of the Azores of Winnipeg "as a unifying factor among all community members," being a privileged space for "dialogue and interaction between Azoreans and Azorean descendants."

"These factors are essential for a true cohesion of our community, the dissemination of our cultural values, the promotion of multiculturalism and the prestige of the Azores," said the government official.

In this context, Paulo Teves urged Azoreans and their descendants "to continue to be a reference in host countries, given the relevance of their presence and the prominence they deserve as builders of modern and prosperous societies in which they live."