The Regional Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations will participate in a debate held under theme "The pursuit of happiness and its impact on immigration policies" to take place at Cineclube Solmar on Saturday, starting at 4:30 PM. This event follows the exhibition of the film "Terraferma" (Dry Land), an initiative included in the Europe of Citizens" Film Festival.

In addition to being attended by Rodrigo Oliveira, who will open the debate, several personalities will take part in this event: Stefano Savio, programmer and artistic director of the Italian Film Festival and President of Il Sorpasso Cultural Association; Gilberta Rocha, full professor and head of the Social Studies Centre at the University of the Azores; Paulo Mendes, president of the Azores Immigrant Association (AIPA); Rui Tendinha, film critic, programmer and director and moderator of this debate.

The event falls within the initiative "10 films, 10 cities, 10 debates," which is travelling around the country under the "European Year of Citizens" until the end of March. It is brought to the Region by the Government of the Azores, through the Cabinet of the Regional Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, in partnership with the 9500 Film Society. This initiative is intended to promote the knowledge and reflection on current European issues.

Directed by Emanuele Crialese, "Terraferma" tells the story of Filippo, a 20-year old youngster who has never left Lampedusa, the small island where he was born.

His father had gone missing two years earlier and his grandfather taught him to survive by fishing. One day, while at sea, Filippo and his grandfather came across a boat full of African immigrants and eventually they become accomplices of a new crime: aiding and encouraging illegal immigration.

Admission is free, but is subject to reservation via email [email protected]. All registration confirmations will receive a validation answer.