"The Descendants of Atlantis - An Azorean Opera" is a theatre, dance and music show that pays tribute to the adventurous spirit of the Azorean who settled in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The event will take place at the Teatro Micalense in Ponta Delgada on Friday on June 20 at 9:30 PM in an initiative jointly organised by the Azorean Government.

"The coming of this show to the Azores has a very special meaning. Firstly, it demonstrates the importance of the Azorean legacy in Southern Brazil and, secondly, it symbolises the close ties between the Gaucho people and the Azorean people," said the Regional Under Secretary of Presidency for External Relations.

Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that the show is "a symbolic staging with a great visual impact. It combines contemporary dance with texts inspired in our literature and there is also the reinvention of the archipelago's traditional sounds that brings us a Brazilian perspective of 'Azoreanity,' with strong hints of Southern Brazil."

The arrival of the first Azorean settlers to Rio Grande do Sul in 1751 is regarded as a milestone in shaping the culture and traditions of this Brazilian state, being an important reference for Gaucho culture and identity.

On May 3, 2013, the Governments of the Azores and Rio Grande do Sul signed a Cooperation Protocol in Lisbon. In August of the same year, they signed a document in Porto Alegre to formalize the establishment of a commission to promote the organisation of a major show under the title “An Azorean Opera" to take place in Rio Grande do Sul and the Azores in 2014.

"The Descendants of Atlantis - An Azorean Opera" has already been staged in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, at a presentation that was symbolically held on June 9, Day of the Azores. According to Rodrigo Oliveira, the show brought to hundreds of people "the myth of Atlantis, the relation of the Azorean people with the Sea and Nature, with volcanoes and earthquakes. It acknowledges the Azorean legacy in shaping the tradition of Rio Grande do Sul."

Admission to the show is free, but is limited to the capacity of the room. Tickets should be collected as soon as possible at the box office of Teatro Micaelense from 2 to 7 PM.