The Regional Director for Communities highlighted the "legacy of Azorean pioneers in the construction of various societies around the world," emphasising that this legacy "is visible in tangible and intangible heritage" after nearly four centuries of history.
"According to historians, the first wave of emigrants to Maranhão dates between 1615 and 1619 and aimed to consolidate the territory that was regained by Portuguese Crown from the French. This fact demonstrates the decisive contribution of the insular people in the definition of the boarders of the Portuguese kingdom," said Paulo Teves. The government official spoke at the world première of the documentary "Nos Baixos do Maranhão" (In the Lowlands of Maranhão) that was held Thursday.
In his speech, the Regional Director stressed the importance of supporting initiatives to "disseminate the route of Azorean emigrants and their active participation in the development of the territories that hosted them."
The documentary "Nos Baixos do Maranhão" (In the Lowlands of Maranhão) was made by Brazilian producer TAC Filmes and was directed by Diego Lara and Flávio Oliveira, who presented the documentary "Dez Ilhas e um Mundo" (Ten Islands and one World) in the Azores in 2013. It tells the story of Azorean emigration to the Brazilian state Maranhão and how insular traditions and culture prevailed until the present day, as well as the influence they had on the people from the northeastern region of Brazil.
Produced in the Azores and in the state of Maranhão, with the support of the Regional Directorate for Communities, this documentary had its world première on Faial, travelling afterwards to the islands of Pico, Terceira and São Miguel. The initiative to present the documentary in the archipelago is supported by the Regional Government and the Brazilian municipality of Itajaí, the homeland of the project's authors.
"We should be proud of this centuries-old presence and determination of our forefathers to build new homes for their families thousands of miles away, which were often covered in stormy and uncertain trips," stressed Paulo Teves. The government official added that, according to historical documents "the people of the islands were generally regarded as skilled workers for agriculture; their religious spirit was mainly embodied in the cult of the Holy Spirit."
Paulo Teves stressed that "the Azoreans who emigrated to various destinations, from South America to North America and to the Pacific islands, whether in the 17th century or in the past century, were known for their tenacity and hard work as well as for the ability to adapt themselves to new social dynamics and responsible integration. They are also easily identified by the fact that they have never lost their identity, despite the distance and time that separate from their island roots."
"With this presentation, we are contributing to a better understanding of the actual size of our islands, the strengthening of ties with the multiple destinations of our emigration and to promotion of "Azoreanity" that, day after day, is becoming more prominent in the world thanks to the thousands of Azoreans and their descendants," said the government official.
The documentary's première was preceded by the presentation of the paper "Settlers for the Empire" - The Azores and emigration managed by the Portuguese Crown in the 17th-19th centuries: the case of Maranhão" by Paulo Matos from Universidade Nova de Lisboa (New University of Lisbon).
In addition to the exhibition of the documentary, the "Divino" exhibition by Flávio Oliveira was also open to the public. It portrayed the cult of the Holy Spirit brought by Azorean settlers that has been kept by the inhabitants of Maranhão since the 17th century.
The documentary will be presented today at the Whaling Museum in Lajes do Pico. The upcoming exhibitions are scheduled for December 5 at Angra do Heroísmo Museum and for December 7 at 9500 Film Club in Ponta Delgada; sessions begin at 9 PM and admittance is free.