The Azores can neither disregard their emigrants nor neglect their contribution to the assertion of the Region among the communities that have hosted them,” defended the Regional Secretary for the Economy on Monday.

Vasco Cordeiro spoke during the closing dinner of the Holy Spirit Festivities in New England, which took place in the city of Fall River during the last weekend, considering the establishment of “closer ties between the Azores and their emigrant communities” is one of the current challenges that several entities on both sides of the Atlantic are facing.

The establishment of closer ties “should be achieved not only on behalf of the interests of our communities, but also of our Region,” added the Regional Secretary.

“Nowadays, the Azores are a different region from the one the left,” stated Vasco Cordeiro to the 300 people attending the dinner, stressing that despite these differences and “the paths of development and progress that have been followed in recent years, the Azores does not forget their emigrants.”

In fact, the Regional Secretary added that “the strengthening of relations can be probably achieved through in various ways, ranging from political participation, and we have more examples of this participation as there is an increasing number of Azoreans emigrants or citizens of Azorean decent holding prominent political positions, to a broad social and cultural participation.” “All of these aspects are essential for an effective integration into their host communities.”

For the Regional Secretary for the Economy, “being a good American citizen does not mean that an Azorean citizen or of Azorean descent no longer loves his homeland.” In fact, he added, “it is exactly the opposite: the more our emigrants integrate into the host communities, the better service they will be providing to their homeland by asserting the name of the Azores.”

Vasco Cordeiro confessed that he was “very touched” upon entering the room where the closing dinner of the Holy Spirit Festivities in New England took place “because one of the insignias of these festivities, the Holy Spirit flag, was the flag offered by the Government of the Azores last year.”
“I see in this act the recognition of a sincere friendship,” said the Regional Secretary.

The government official also recalled the acknowledgment of “the importance of the Holy Spirit Festivities by the Regional Parliament which distinguished the Organising Commission of these festivities with an honorary commendation - the Autonomic Commendation of Civic Merit.”

“Being Azorean, whether by birth or by heart, is what unites us and this is the best tribute to pay to all those who have decided to celebrate the Azores here in New England 25 years ago.”

Vasco Cordeiro also stressed the fact that “after leaving their homeland many years ago, the Azorean community continue to celebrate the Holy Spirit, their roots and their culture every year.”

For those who doubt “the determination of our people, this doubt is clarified when we remember that the reason why these festivities take place is perhaps the most genuine demonstration of the Azorean faith, the Holy Spirit worship, which has endured throughout centuries, islands, continents and has resisted to the wind, rain and storms as it was evidenced this past weekend,” Vasco Cordeiro said, alluding to the Tropical Storm Irene that affected this year’s festivities.