The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations launched in Lajes do Pico a challenge for young people to build the Azores and Europe.
 
"This is your time to build the Azores and Europe," said Rui Bettencourt, who spoke to the young people participating in the celebrations of Europe Day at the Centre for Arts and Sciences of the Sea.
 
In his speech, Rui Bettencourt also hopes that, on this day or from this day, young people may feel "the desire to be more European and more Azorean."
 
The government official stated that these young people "will have the pride, pleasure and responsibility to build this land," stressing that they will "build the Azores and Europe over the course of this century."
 
The Regional Secretary also mentioned the issue of heritage and cultural identity in a European Year dedicated to cultural heritage. On the occasion, he emphasised the importance of the sea, whaling heritage and Pico vineyard culture, conveying his great satisfaction with the celebrations of Europe Day on the island also known as the mountain island,
 
"Our identity and our history place us at the heart of what European identity is and at the heat of what Europe's progress can be," noted Rui Bettencourt.
 
The government official visited several recreational and informative that took place in that space, involving the participation of two hundred students from Lajes do Pico Basic Education School. They were guided by the "Mother Europe" character, who came to the island in a whaling boat.
 
Moreover, Rui Bettencourt visited an exhibition displaying miniatures of emblematic monuments of EU capitals, an initiative organised by Lajes Social Centre. He also visited another exhibition, promoted by Lajes Basic Education and Secondary School, featuring the recreation of works of art from reused material.
 
This year, the Europe Day celebrations take place in the three municipalities of Pico Island. They began Tuesday with "Talks in the Cellar," an initiative held under the theme of the European Year of Cultural Heritage with the aim of addressing the Pico Vineyard Landscape classified by UNESCO. The event was attended by plastic artist João Ramos, Manuel Costa and Manuel Tomás, in addition to including the performance of a "Chamarrita" dance in the traditional style of Pico Island and a wine tasting moment.
 
On the occasion, the Regional Secretary urged young people to have the courage to assert the reality and the diversity of cultural and landscape heritage in the Azores, in general, and on Pico, in particular. As he mentioned, they must "assert the regions through their diversity and their culture," so that other Europeans may acknowledge "the central role" of the Region and “the Europe of today.”