The Presidency of the Regional Government of the Azores will celebrate the centenary of the birth of Maria Luísa Costa Gomes next Sunday, February 6, in Ponta Delgada at 4 PM.

The initiative, organised by the Regional Directorate of Culture and integrated in the activities developed by the Carlos Machado Museum, includes the exhibition of interview granted by Maria Luísa Costa Gomes to RTP/Açores on the TV programme “Personalidades” in 1980 as well as audio testimonials about her life and work.

The celebration, which will take place at the Sacred Art Centre of that museum, also comprises a toy exhibition that will be open to the public until March 6.

Maria Luísa Costa Gomes was born on February 6, 1911 in Ponta Delgada where she died 80 years later in 1991. During most of her life, she remained linked to the world of arts and to the Carlos Machado Museum where she was in charge of the Art Section between 1955 and 1974. In the same period, she started the project regarding the creation of a Children’s Museum.

However, due to various hindrances, the Children’s Museum was never completed; only two rooms dedicated to childhood and toys have been opened to the public since 1963.

In the context of this celebration, the Educational Department of the Carlos Museum will provide guided tours to the toy exhibition next week, being addressed at students from various schools of São Miguel Island.

In turn, the Sacred Art Centre will also provide guided tours to the exhibition “Brincos de Princesa: nem princípio nem fim” by Azorean artist Sofia Medeiros. The Educational Department of the Carlos Machado Museum will also promote itinerant activities for middle school and junior high school students (6th to 9th form) from the village of Rabo de Peixe in Ribeira Grande.