The Regional Director for Communities stressed in Ribeira Grande the determination of Azorean emigrants living in Canada in the preservation and dissemination of the Azores cultural heritage in this country over the last six decades. In this regard, the government official also highlighted the role that youngsters can play in this area.

"Azorean emigrants living in Canada and, in particular, youngsters of Azorean descent will honour the path followed by pioneers as well as that followed by the thousands of Azoreans who followed them later," stated Paulo Teves on Tuesday. The government official spoke on behalf of the Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations during the launching ceremony of the book "Memórias de Afonso Maria Tavares, Pioneiro Açoriano 1953" (Memoirs of Afonso Maria Tavares, Azorean Pioneer - 1953) at the Franciscan Museum.

"Our youth plays a decisive role in preserving Azorean values in the world," the Regional Director stressed, reiterating the importance of "attracting all this human potential and calling it to take part in the development of the Azores and the host communities."

Moreover, Paulo Teves noted that the 18 Azorean pioneers that arrived in Halifax in 1953, being the first group of Azorean emigrants in Canada, represent the "beginning of an Azorean odyssey that deserves our consideration and pride."

"It was not easy to get to this great country without the linguistic and cultural knowledge of the societies where one was going to settle, but the determination of our people spoke louder and here we are today, sharing a moment to pay tribute to the thousand of Azoreans who have made Canada their new home," said the government official.

The launching of the book by Afonso Maria Tavares took place under the Congress "60 years of Azorean emigration to Canada," an initiative organised by the Government of the Azores that counts on the participation of scholars and association leaders from the Azores and Canada.

Afonso Maria Tavares, now aged 84, is a native of Rabo de Peixe and currently resides in the city of Brampton, Ontario. He was part of the first group of 18 Azoreans who came to Canada aboard the ship Saturnia. The group arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on May 13, 1956.

On the island of São Miguel, the congress closed on Tuesday night with the performances of Rafael Carvalho, accompanied by the "Violas da Terra" group (traditional Azorean guitar) of the Ponta Delgada Conservatory, and Azorean artist Raquel Dutra.

On Wednesday night, the celebrations of the 60 years of Azorean emigration to Canada will be held at the Angra do Heroísmo Museum on the island of Terceira at 8 PM. The same event will take place on the island of Faial at the João José da Graça Public Library and Regional Archive on Thursday night.

The programme of these two events includes a conference under the theme "Azorean Paths in Canada" to be delivered by José Carlos Teixeira, professor at the University of British Columbia University, Canada. This event will be followed by the presentation of testimonies of Azorean citizens who emigrated to Canada and later returned to their islands of origin.

The event will close on Terceira with the performances of Tibério Franco Choir from Terra Chã and Dixie Band, while on the island of Faial the event will close with the performance of Unânime Praiense Philharmonic Society.