The Regional Secretary for Education and Training said it is "essential" that Azorean villages "continue to carry out the work they do" in favour of communities.

Cláudia Cardoso spoke at the ceremony to celebrate the 440th anniversary of São Bento village, Angra do Heroísmo, on Sunday.

According to Cláudia Cardoso, the proximity work developed in villages has a strong impact on local development and that effort must be acknowledged and valued.

In the specific case of São Bento, the government official mentioned the village's past marked by an economic and social dynamics and praised the actions currently developed by the local population and associations headquartered in the village.

"São Bento was built and developed by the people who lived here as well as by those who were able to dare and take a step forward instead of criticising everything but doing nothing," stressed the Regional Secretary.

This path remains today, stated Cláudia Cardoso, through the work carried out by local authorities, communities and the population.