The International Day for Monuments and Sites, celebrated on April 18, is dedicated this year to the theme "Cultural Heritage: from generation to generation." It will be marked in the Azores with various initiatives organised by the External Services of the Regional Directorate for Culture, which under the administration of the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture.
 
The Carlos Machado Museum in Ponta Delgada marks this date with three initiatives to be held on April 18, 19 and 22.
 
On April 18, the educational workshop Journey through the Clouds" will take place at Fenais da Luz Kindergarten and Basic Education School from 1:15 to 3 PM. It includes the collaboration of captain João Albergaria (SATA) and is aimed at 3rd and 4th form students.
 
In this activity, included in "Fenais da Luz - Community in Focus" Project, we intend to raise the awareness of young people for the importance of meteorology as well as for knowledge of atmospheric phenomena and climate in general.
 
On the following day, the initiative "April Showers bring May flowers - Heritage route through the atmosphere of São Miguel" will take place between 10 AM and 4 PM.
 
This initiative is directed to people over six years of age and requires prior registration, which must be made by telephone 296 202 930.
 
The Carlos Machado Museum houses the photography estate of Afonso Chaves, who dedicated himself to the study of meteorology. In this regard, it has joined Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere in the organisation of this heritage route that intends to show some meteorological features of the Region and disseminate places associated with them. Moreover, the initiative also aims to alert citizens to emerging climate issues.
 
The route begins in Fajã de Cima, more specifically ay the old Magnetic Observatory of S. Miguel, and ends at the Afonso Chaves Observatory in Relvão.
 
Participants in this activity, which counts on the collaboration of meteorologists Fernanda Carvalho and Diamantino Henriques, are invited to bring lunch and have a picnic in the gardens of Relvão Observatory.
 
On April 22, the heritage route designated as "Step by step through the village of Sete Cidades" takes place from 3 to 5 PM. The activity is organised by the Eco-Atlântida Shop (Cresaçor and Candelária Youth Association), involving the participation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage team from Carlos Machado Museum.
 
Participation in this initiative requires prior registration, which should be made by telephone 296 202 930.
 
During the route, participants will have the opportunity to meet people and places belonging to Sete Cidade's heritage.
 
In turn, the Angra do Heroísmo Museum promotes the activity entitled "To Boa Nova - awareness-raising action for taxi drivers" at the Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima Military History Centre on April 18 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
 
The Angra do Heroísmo Museum is aware of the fundamental role that taxi drivers play in disseminating information concerning the most diverse aspects of heritage, from intangible to building heritage. Therefore, it promotes a specifically designed programme for these professionals, who are invited to become acquainted with the Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima Military History Centre. In addition to the exhibition spaces that may be usually visited, it will also open the Uniforms, Heavy Weapons and Light Weapons collections that are stored in the reserved areas.
 
With this initiative, the Museum will contribute to disseminating the valuable collections on display and those stored in this centre, which was distinguished last year by APOM as the "Best Visiting Collection" nationwide.
 
The Francisco de Lacerda Museum on S. Jorge also joins the celebrations with a concert featuring the José Damião de Almeida Choir and Orchestra to take place at Nossa Senhora do Rosário Church in the village of Topo on April 18 at 9 PM. This local music will perform a repertoire consisting of classical music and traditional Azorean pieces.
 
The Graciosa Museum will promote a cultural route on the theme "From clay to tiles."
 
This route is specifically directed to young people attending the Occupational Centre of Graciosa Cultural, Sports and Recreational Association. It begins in the hamlet of Barreiro at 3:30 PM and ends near the oven once used for tile making, located in the hamlet of Rochela.
 
Along the route, participants will be become acquainted with several aspects related to the extraction of clay and the different phases of tile making, namely the design, drying, storage and sale of tiles.
 
In order to mark the International Day for Monuments and Sites, the Pico Museum, together with São Roque Basic Education and Secondary School, promotes the activity "A day at the factory" to take place the Whaling Industry Museum.
 
The initiative is based on the testimony and experience of a former worker, who will guide the students' tour following the course of a day's work.
 
Still on Pico, the Whaling Museum will host the launch of the book entitled "Crónicas e Contos de Natal do Avô Ermelindo" (Christmas Chronicles and Tales of Grandfather Ermelindo) on April 25 at 4 PM.
 
In turn, the Horta Museum organises an interpretative itinerary designated as "São Francisco, Matriz and Carmo," which includes the city's reference points, highlighting their history and functions.
 
This itinerary takes place on April 18 for schools and on April 21 for the public in general at 10:30 AM. Those who are interested should register at the reception desk of Horta Museum and Manuel de Arriaga House, at the email address [email protected] or the telephone 292 202 576.
 
The Flores Museum marks the date with the organisation of a guided tour to Pedra do Náufragos in Fajã do Conde on April 15 and 2:30 PM.
 
Also known as the Lang rock, it tells the story of US bark "Modena" that sailed from Bermuda bound for Boston. However, a week after leaving the port, on April 22, 1873, Captain Lang and his crew were forced to abandon the ship.
 
Rescue came from a ship making the crossing between America and Europe, having dropped them on the east cost of Flores Island on May 5.
 
The crew was kept in quarantine by the population, fearing the possible spreading of diseases. The story of these 12 men is only documented in this rock.
 
In the context of the International Day for Monuments and Sites celebrations, the Regional Directorate for Culture offers a free-admission ticket to all museums under its administration during the months of April and May. The initiative will cover all SATA and Atlânticoline passengers, provided that they present their boarding pass at the museum ticket offices.
 
The International Day for Monuments and Sites was created by the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on April 18, 1982 and approved by UNESCO on the following year. It aims to raise awareness for the diversity and vulnerability of heritage and the need for its protection and safeguarding.
 
The Regional Directorate for Culture informs that this and other events may be consulted in the Cultural Agenda of CulturAçores Portal at the following address: www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt.