The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorates for Youth and Social Solidarity, in partnership with CIPA - Novo Dia, presented today the regional artistic creation contest - "ArtIsocial" during the opening of the "Tent of Equality."

The Regional Director for Youth stressed that this is "another example of the commitment taken by the Azorean Government towards a society that respects the uniqueness and dignity of human life, freedom, equality and solidarity."

Pilar Damião underlined that the contest is held under the project "Antes de me discriminares, conhece-me" (Before you discriminate me, know me) and "is intended to continue the campaign against multiple forms of discrimination" that started in 2013.

In turn, the Regional Director for Social Solidarity restated the Government's commitment "to combat the scourge of domestic violence and discrimination," reminding that all actions developed under the policies of equality and non-discrimination should be awarded "priority status."

Frederico Furtado Sousa also ensured the availability of the Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity to collaborate "as a partner in the promotion of these actions, which are based on a concerted and multidisciplinary approach."

Targeted at youngsters aged from 16 to 30, "ArtIsocial" aims to address multiple forms of discrimination, equality and domestic violence, through different artistic fields such as visual arts (painting, drawing, comics or poster), music, story, video, literature (short story, poetry or drama) and photography.

This initiative also includes a display of the works selected under the regional artistic creation contest, the organisation of theme nights and campaign against discrimination that will feature the winning works in each artistic area; the latter is due to begin in 2015.

The registration period runs until October 15 and can be made online on CIPA-Novo Dia page at the following address: www.novodiacipa.org.

After the organisation of numerous awareness raising actions and information sessions on the islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Santa Maria and São Miguel, the "Tent of Equality" will be held in Ponta Delgada until September 10 from 2 PM to 12 AM. It will then travel to the islands of Flores and Corvo on September 12 and 13.