The island of Faial and, particularly, the city of Horta has many reasons to be proud also of its present as well as of the future that is built today.
This belief was conveyed by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, Noé Rodrigues, during the formal session to celebrate the 177th anniversary of the elevation of Horta to city status at the Teatro Faialense on Sunday evening.
Speaking on behalf of the President of the Government, Noé Rodrigues highlighted the role played by Horta in the past as a support port to the American whaling fleet, to the export of oranges and “verdelho” wine as well as to the installation of submarine cables. Moreover, this port has also played an important role as a coal refuelling stop for steamships or as a stopover for hydroplanes.
However, the President added that the infrastructures that are built here nowadays are a symbol of the commitment and the work carried out by Faial islanders; a present and a future we are all proud of.
With regard to the works developed on the island of Faial, the Regional Secretary mentioned the renewal and organisation of the island’s productive sector, the increase of exports, the renewal of cultural heritage and historic buildings and the construction of a maritime city in its economic, cultural, recreational dimensions.
Noé Rodrigues also took the opportunity to pay tribute to all Faial islanders who, individually or collectively, helped to build the “Mui Leal Cidade da Horta” (The Most Loyal City of Horta) as it was recognised by a Decree issued by D. Luís in 1866 when he awarded the Coat of Arms to that city that had been elevated to city status on July 4, 1833 with the support of the Liberalist forces.