The Regional Director for the Communities stated in the United States of America that that the offer of Azorean books to several diaspora entities stems from the "Regional Government's commitment to promote the Portuguese language and disseminate the archipelago's literary heritage." 

"One year after the opening of the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute, we note that this project has contributed to new dynamics in the relations between the diaspora and the Region as well as to expand the knowledge of the Azorean community residing in California," said Paulo Teves. 

The Regional Director spoke Wednesday at the opening of the Azorean book section offered by the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, to the Henry Maden Library at California State University in Fresno. 

“With this new space, which congregates more than 500 books and 80 CDS and DVDS about literature, social sciences, music and documentaries by Azorean authors or addressing Azorean themes, we believe it will be an important academic tool for an in-depth knowledge of the land of origin - Azores - of the majority of the Portuguese community residing in California,” stressed the government official. 

In his speech, Paulo Teves said that “the Regional Government has recently offered several books to universities and institutes in the USA, Canada, Brazil and Bermuda, considering that, through these spaces, it is also possible to reach a larger and more diversified audience."

At the event, attended by Saúl Jiménez Sandoval, Vice-President of the California State University, Paulo Teves highlighted the university's support to the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute. Its activities have contributed “to building new bridges in the relations between the Azores and the diaspora as well as to promoting the diaspora and the Autonomous Region of the Azores." 

“We are pleased to note the recognition of the Azorean community for the efforts undertaken by the University of California in Fresno that intends to further intensify its interdisciplinary action,” Paulo Teves said, mentioning the creation of the Azores Diaspora Center at the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute announced by its director, Diniz Borges. 

Opened in 2019 by the President of the Government of the Azores, the Portuguese Beyond Borders Center aims to enhance and disseminate the knowledge of Portugal in the world, promoting the community residing in the State of California, through a diversity of areas, namely the economy, political science, history, language and culture. 

Also, on Wednesday, the Regional Director for the Communities met with several association leaders from the city of Tulare at an event organised by the Tulare-Angra Sister City Foundation, delivering a conference on the Azorean Diaspora that was attended by the President of the University of California in Fresno, Joseph Castro, and US Congressman Jim Costa.