An Azorean delegation is currently in Rio Grande do Sul for the celebration of the 270 years of the Azorean settlement in this Brazilian state and the 250 years of the foundation of the city of Porto Alegre, acknowledging that there are “shared challenges” to overcome in these two sides of the Atlantic.
The message was left by the Governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, and by the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, in their communications transmitted at the Government’s Palace. Before that, the delegation from the Azores presented compliments to the President of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
“We are not only a brotherly people, we are almost one single people, although separated by the Atlantic”, assumed the Regional Director, as he represented the President of the Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, who stayed on the island of São Jorge and couldn’t travel to Brazil, and the Vice-President of the Government, Artur Lima, who didn’t travel with the delegation for health reasons.
“We live in islands. We have to face and overcome the challenges of nature”, has reminded José Andrade, justifying the absence of José Manuel Bolieiro on this travel to Brazil.
The official visit happens on the week after the first on-site meeting, that took place on the island of São Miguel, of the Azorean Diaspora Council, the advisory entity that guarantees, as highlighted the President of the Government, “critical and biding reflection, advising and assessment”.
The delegation consisted of, in representation of the Azorean people, the members of the Regional Parliament João Vasco Costa (PS), João Bruto da Costa (PSD), Paulo Estêvão (PPM) and José Pacheco (Chega), and the City Council Presidents Alexandre Gaudêncio, from Ribeira Grande, and Carlos Ferreira, from Horta, sister-cities of Porto Alegre.
Today, in the city of Porto Alegre, there will be an unveiling ceremony of a plaque in honor of the Azoreans, in the first square of the city, by the Mayor of Porto Alegre and with the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, António Ventura, in representation of the President of the Government of the Azores.
Later, in the municipality of Gravataí, the delegation will attend the commemorative session of the anniversary of the House of the Azores of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, a ceremony that will count with some speeches and cultural moments.
