The Regional Directorate for Culture joins, through the museums of the Regional Network of Museums, the European Heritage Days 2012, an event that will take place in Portugal on September 28, 29 and 30.

European Heritage Days are an annual initiative promoted by the Council of Europe and the European Union, involving nearly 50 countries with the aim of raising awareness to the importance of safeguarding Heritage.

This year's event will be held under the theme "The Future of Memory," which is intended to highlight the importance of heritage as the memory of the development of societies as well as its role in shaping the future.
In this context, the Azores museums will promote various activities to mark this event.

The Santa Maria Museum organises a lecture under the theme "The Santa Maria airport, its past and future," delivered by architect José Manuel Fernandes, at the Dalberto Pombo Interpretation Centre on September 29 at 9 PM.

On the same day, the Carlos Machado Museum, through the exhibition commissioner, Sílvia Massa, organises a guided tour to the exhibition "Portuguese Art at Carlos Machado Museum.1840-2010."

The Angra do Heroísmo Museum will promote the activity "The Future of Memory through Sgraffito" on September 28 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. This activity consists of a lunch to be served at the cloister of the old São Francisco Convent under the theme "The contemporaneity of the golden century of Azorean woodworking." Several images depicting furniture with sgraffito decorations that were made in the Azores in the 16th and 17th centuries will be displayed during the meal. This initiative also includes guided tours to the exhibition "Sea and Earth... a story in the Atlantic" between 2 and 4 PM.

The Graciosa Museum hosts the photography and video exhibition "Memories of Graciosa island - village of Luz," which may be visited at Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School between September 28 - 30 from 10 AM to 3 PM.

On September 28, the conference under the theme "Traditional Agriculture - which future?" will be delivered by engineer Manuel Soares Mariante at the Francisco de Lacerda Museum at 10 AM. The conference is addressed at junior and senior high school students. The exhibition "Windows to the Past" will be open to the public in general at the museum on September 28, 29 and 30.

The Pico Museum will promote the activity "Vineyard and wine - memory and identity" on September 24. This initiative consists in a guided tour for 25 representatives of World Geoparks to the Wine Museum.
 
In turn, the Horta Museum organises the initiative "Cultural Route on Manuel de Arriaga," which will take place in the historic centre of Horta, a guided tour to Manuel de Arriaga House. This activity ,addressed at children aged between 6 to 14 years, is scheduled for September 29 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM.