During his recent visit to Brazil, the Regional Director for Communities praised the effort undertaken by the House of the Azores of São Paulo, particularly with regard to the preservation of Azorean cultural identity in that State and the dissemination of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

Paulo Teves praised the "Açores Quizz" project, which is in its final stage of preparation. This project is the result of an initiative developed by that institution in partnership with the Government of the Azores. Targeted at several schools in the city of São Paulo, this initiative intends to promote a contest on the Azorean reality; the first prize will win a trip to the Azores.
 
As part of his visit to the Azorean communities residing in Brazil, the Regional Director for Communities also highlighted the activities developed by the House of the Azores of Santa Catarina Island.

According to Paulo Teves, this work has shown excellent results in the recovery of tangible and intangible heritage of Azorean origin that has been present in this Southern State for over 250 years.

During a visit to the Sambaqui Neighbourhood on the island of Santa Catarina, Paulo Teves stressed the Azorean presence in various cultural manifestations on this island as well as the sense of pride in the Azorean cultural legacy that has spread throughout the world since the 17th century.

During the meetings held with the Santa Catarina Historical and Geographical Institute, the Florianópolis City Hall, the Azorean Studies Centre and the Santa Catarina Foundation for Culture, the Regional Director conveyed the Government's willingness to seize synergies between several partners in the consolidation of "Azoreanity" in Santa Catarina with the aim of maximising resources and increasing the scope of the actions to disseminate the Autonomous Region of the Azores in various areas.

The Regional Director for Communities also met with the board of the House of the Azores of Rio de Janeiro. During the meeting, the government official addressed the main challenges the community faces as well as the projects developed by this institution, including the "Azores Fest Band," an unprecedented initiative that has brought together hundreds of youngsters.

Paulo Teves also visited in this Brazilian state the Holy Spirit Brotherhoods of Vila Isabel, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in April, and Catumbi. The government official praised the way how "Azoreanity" is celebrated in both places.

In the beginning of this week, the Regional Director for Communities visited Uruguay, where he met with several entities from the community of Azorean-descent, including the House of the Azores of Uruguay, theatre and dance groups, the Portuguese school and the Mayor of the Municipality of San Carlos.