The Regional Secretary for the Economy, Vasco Cordeiro, attended the Solemn Mass of the Holy Spirit Festivities in New England that was held at the Sant’Ana Church in Fall River on Sunday.

On a day marked by the passage of the Tropical Storm Irene in the state of Massachusetts, which led to the cancellation of all other activities scheduled for this day of festivities, the Regional Secretary for the Economy stressed the spirit of “perseverance demonstrated by the Azorean emigrant community.”

For the Regional Secretary for the Economy, the Holy Spirit Festivities in New England “are a very important milestone not only for our emigrants, but also for the Azores as this is a unique moment to show to all Americans the regional traditions and culture as well as to promote our Region.”

Over the past years, “due to the organisation of these festivities,” which annually attract thousands of people from across the USA and even from other countries to Fall River, “we have been witnessing a change regarding the image of the Azores, which nowadays are regarded as a modern region fully integrated into the European Union that has followed the path of development.”

“Without the celebration of the Holy Spirit Festivities in New England, it would be more difficult to reach the level of assertion the Azores have achieved in this North American State,” stated the Regional Secretary.