The Regional Director for the Communities begins Friday, September 20, a visit to the state of California, during which he will meet with various organisations and the Azorean communities residing in that state.
On the first day of his visit, Paulo Teves will meet with Azorean leaders of associations headquartered in the city of Chino at the Holy Spirit Society.
On Saturday, the Regional Director will attend the opening of the 37th Portuguese Folklore Festival of the State of California in Artesia, an event featuring the participation of eight folk dance groups. He also has scheduled meetings with the leaders of these groups.
Paulo Teves continues his visit to California in Tulare and Hanford, where he will meet with several Azorean leaders of local associations on September 22.
The fourth and final day of his visit to California begins in Clovis with a visit to the company Agrian, an agricultural technology company run by an Azorean emigrant from Flores. The afternoon will be dedicated to visiting Fresno.
In this city, Paulo Teves will attend the opening of an Azorean themed library offered by the Azorean Government to the Henry Madden Library.
On the last day of this visit to California, meetings are also scheduled with board members and collaborators of the California Portuguese American Coalition (CPAC) and the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute. Moreover, the programme includes a visit to the California College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which has signed partnership agreement with the campus of Terceira at the University of the Azores.
Also, on this day, Paulo Teves will deliver a paper on the “Azorean Diaspora” in the context of the activities carried out by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute at the University of Fresno.
Azorean emigration to the state of California began in the mid-19th century. Throughout successive generations, various identity manifestations have been maintained and a considerable group of associations has emerged, namely the Holy Spirit Brotherhoods, philharmonic bands, folk dance groups as well as cultural and social associations, among others.