The Azores will host one of the editions of the transnational seminar of the Margullar programme in the first half of April 2018. This project involves underwater archaeological heritage and tourism in Macaronesia.
The Azorean application was defended today by the Regional Director for Culture, Nuno Lopes, in Dakar, Senegal, where the seminar on Underwater Archaeology - Methodologies and Perspectives are being held under the Margullar programme.
Participants from the Spanish regions of the Canaries and Andalusia, Cape Verde, the Azores, Madeira and Senegal, were represented by high-level government officials. They sought to relate the archaeological evidence found in the Azores, namely in Angra do Heroísmo, with the underwater heritage around the island of Gorée and the sea near Dakar. The slave trade, initiated by the Portuguese, was developed to great extent on these two locations and lasted for about three hundred years.
The Margullar project aims to link the heritage and tourism binomial, undertaking efforts in the field of underwater archaeology towards the preservation of marine heritage for its subsequent recognition. The main purpose is to improve the attractiveness and promotion of diving tourism in participating regions and countries.
This project intends that tourists who practice diving and admire the precious seabed of the Transnational Cooperation Space may become closer to the heritage, history and culture of each region involved.
Starting from the compilation of the archaeological data in the identified working areas, the project also intends to acknowledge the value of these assets as well as to achieve their full management and safeguarding. Disseminating and raising public awareness for the protection of Macaronesian Archaeological Heritage towards its preservation and protection are other goals of this initiative.