The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External relations of the Government of the Azores has highlighted the importance of Culture in bringing the archipelago closer to Rio Grande do Sul.

During a visit to the State of Rio Grande do Sul at the invitation of the State Government, Rodrigo Oliveira met with the Secretary of State of Culture, Luiz Antônio de Assis Brasil, with whom he exchanged information and discussed ideas to strengthen the ties that link both territories.

As it is known, Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state of Brazil, was also colonized by Azorean from 1752 onwards. Couples from Central Group Islands have settled throughout the territory; some of them founded the state capital, Porto Alegre, a city with over one million inhabitants today that was initially known as Porto dos Casais.

The legacy of these settlers is still visible everywhere, particularly in architecture, local cuisine, handicrafts and folklore; the "Pezinho" is the only mandatory dance in folklore dance contests.

The people of Rio Grande are proud of their Azorean roots and have paid them tribute on several occasions; the most visible example of this is the Monument to the Azorean People, located at the Largo dos Açorianos in Porto Alegre.
 
This monument symbolises the arrival of the 60 Azorean couples who founded the city, being one of the largest monuments in South America, with 17 metres high and 24 metres long.

Rodrigo Oliveira said that "in this context, it should be noted the strong commitment of the Government of Rio Grande do Sul in using Culture as a privileged means of bringing closer and recovering the memory and presence of the Azoreans who came to these lands 260 years ago."

For the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations of the Regional Government, the legacy of 18th century Azorean settlers "has a very strong presence in several aspects, such as the local cuisine, place names and cultural manifestations."

Rodrigo Oliveira will represent the Government of the Azores, at the invitation of the Government of Rio Grande do Sul, in the major cultural event to be held on Saturday that celebrates the 260 years of the arrival of the first Azorean settlers to Rio Grande do Sul.