The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations starts Friday, June 9, a visit to the United States during which he will participate in the celebrations of Portugal Day Rhode Island and meet with Azorean communities and institutions.
 
On the first day of this visit, Rui Bettencourt speaks at Rhode Island State House during the official ceremonies of the celebration of Portugal Day. He will address a message to the Azoreans on occasion of the celebration of the Azores Day promoted by the House of the Azores of New England in collaboration with the Consulate of Portugal in New Bedford.
 
This session includes a conference on Vitorino Nemésio, which will be delivered by his granddaughter, Luísa Nemésio, in addition to the screening of a video featuring testimonies of Azoreans on the Autonomy.
 
Also on Friday, Rui Bettencourt, who will be accompanied by the Regional Director for Communities, Paulo Teves, meets with the organisations of the International Network of Social Intervention in New Bedford. These associations work with the Azorean community in areas as diverse as legal counselling, promotion of citizenship, promotion of health rights and fight against exclusion.
 
The program of the first day of this visit to the United States also includes the flag hoisting ceremony at Providence City Hall.
 
On the following day, June 10, the Regional Secretary meets with the board of the House of the Azores of New England House and participates in the "Waterfire Providence," which will take place at Kennedy Plaza.
 
On the third and final day of the visit, Rui Bettencourt participates in the Portugal Day Parade, which closes the celebrations of Portuguese history, language and culture. The event has been organised by the community of Rhode Island uninterruptedly for 40 years and involves the participation of philharmonic bands, folklore groups as well as various organisations and associations.