The President of the Government participated in the "Bodo de Leite" Parade and the Ethnographic Parade of the Holy Spirit Festivities of New England, one of the largest cultural and religious manifestations of the Azorean Diaspora that takes place this weekend in the city of Fall River.
 
Vasco Cordeiro, who is participating in these festivities as Guest of Honour, also attended the blessing and the traditional distribution of milk and sweet bread to all those at Kennedy Park, one of the main venues of the Holy Spirit Festivities, which celebrate this year its 30th edition.
 
In a route followed by thousands of Azorean emigrants, the Ethnographic Parade left the City Gates of Fall River and went along the South Main Street towards Kennedy Park.
 
Speaking to journalists, the President of the Government stressed its satisfaction to participate, once again, in these Festivities, which evidence "the pride that the Azorean Communities, not only those in the Fall River area, demonstrate and their strong for the Azores."
 
"This is, of course, a reason for great satisfaction because there is a great potential in our Communities. This year, through various entities, the celebrations of these festivities included the installation of a pavilion at Kennedy Park to give a more updated image of the Azores of today. Nowadays, this is also a reason to captivate more visitors to the Azores, including those who share emotional ties with our islands and even those who do not have them," said the government official.
 
Today, Sunday, Vasco Cordeiro begins the day with a meeting with members of the Portuguese-American Leadership Council of the United States (PALCUS), followed by the Solemn Coronation Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Mary and the Coronation Procession, which will include official entities, "mordomos" and philharmonic bands from New England, Canada and the Azores.
 
These Festivities, held on the last weekend of August since 1986, are promoted by the Organising Committee, which this year is chaired by Duarte Nuno Carreiro.