The Azores will mark the International Women's Day on Thursday, March 8, with a session at the Ponta Delgada Public Library and Regional Archive in a joint initiative of the Regional Secretariats for Social Solidarity and Education and Culture.
 
During the day, the book entitled "Dos privilégios e praerogativas q ho género feminino te por dereito comu & ordenações do reyno mais que ho género masculino" (prerogatives and rights of women in the kingdom of Portugal) will be on display at the entrance hall. This rare 16th century work belongs to the Library's book collection.
 
The work, whose theme is quite surprising for that period, was published in 1557. It was written by the Azorean Ruy Gonçalves, a professor at the University of Coimbra and, later, lawyer at "Casa da Suplicação" (court) in Lisbon.
 
A native of S. Miguel Island, Rui Gonçalves, also known as R.G. da Grã, was the first Azorean to publish a book and also the first Portuguese author to defend gender equality and the only one to do so for centuries.
 
During the celebration of this event, the Library also promotes a conference under the theme "Family and its members - from the power of some to the rights of all" to be delivered by Counsellor Judge Álvaro Laborinho Lúcio at 8 PM.
 
The event will also be marked in Angra do Heroísmo by Luís da Silva Ribeiro Public Library and Regional Archive with the concert entitled "Women in Music" featuring Antonella Barletta (piano) and Sara Miguel (voice) at 9:30 PM.
 
The concert's programme includes pieces composed by women, made famous by women or in which women are the main source of inspiration. 
 
With a vast musical training, Antonella Barletta participates on regular basis in public presentations in the most diverse musical areas and performs with several ensembles. In turn, Sara Miguel graduated in Vocal Jazz from the School of Music and Performing Arts. She has developed her professional path both in terms of concerts and in terms of artistic training.
 
The Regional Directorate for Culture informs that this and other events may be consulted in the Cultural Agenda of CulturAçores Portal at the following address: www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt.