The President of the Government was the guest of honour of the session to celebrate 260th anniversary of the Azorean settlement of Rio Grande do Sul that took place at the Porto Alegre City Hall, the capital of that Brazilian state.
Highlighting the deep respect that the Azores feel today for the memory of those bold ancestors- a respect also felt by the inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul with the organisation of these celebrations - Carlos César said that one is before a celebration of the origin that binds the Azoreans and the Gauchos.
As he recalled to the two hundred people attending the event, "Azorean migration to the south of Brazil in the mid-eighteenth century was part of plan developed by the Portuguese crown in order to ensure the possession of Brazilian Southern lands through their occupation by Azorean settlers."
Despite having mobilised thousands of people and its significant impact on the Portuguese society, the Azorean saga was not given the attention it deserved.
"But with the advent of regional autonomy in the Azores in 1976, all Azorean communities spread throughout the world have acquired another dimension and another status as well. In addition, their importance was duly recognised both regionally and nationally," said Carlos César.
Hence, the Azorean autonomy has also "acknowledged and enhanced the Azorean and Portuguese identities overseas."
The President of the Regional Government considered the approach to bring the Azorean Government closer to communities - whether either through a close relation with the institutions of host countries or the development and support of projects intended "to preserve and disseminated the cultural heritage we share" - as a decisive contribution.
Mentioning to the House of the Azores of Rio Grande do Sul (CAERGS) as an example of the good work developed in this area, Carlos César said that "contrary to what happened in the past, youngsters of Azorean descent have become aware of this reality; they feel proud of their roots and seek to know more about their ancestors.”
According to the government official, "those of Azorean descent, already in the 8th, 9th and even 10th generations, have often requested the technical and financial support for conduction of students concerning the Azorean presence in south Brazil. These studies have been published in Graduation, Master, and Doctorate theses on the various aspects of Azorean culture that are still present in many municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul and other Brazilian states."
The results have been positive as these studies have allowed us to have a clear perception of one of the most beautiful pages in the history of the Azores.
"In fact, the Azorean population - whose number typically tends to exceed the narrow limits of its territory - has shown its character upon coming to these lands," stressed the President of the Government.
Therefore, it is important to honour the achievements and memory of these Azoreans by continuing, consolidating and strengthening the ties they have created.
A further step has been taken when Carlos César signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul in the beginning of his visit; however, he believes the session held at the Porto Alegre House will contribute the this aspiration for greater sharing and exchange.
"For an Azorean it is an honour and a source of contentment to feel part of a people that is respected, admired and loved, despite being 10 thousand kilometres away from its islands," stated Carlos César.
The President of the Government stressed that this is "clearly demonstrated by the respect of public authorities as well as by the diversity of the Azorean presence." In this context, the government official mentioned the "Azorean rooms," the music and folklore dance groups, the Holy Spirit Brotherhoods as well as the significant Azorean presence in the various domains of Rio Grande do Sul's economic and social life.