The Regional Director for Communities stressed today in Praia da Vitória the important contribution of philharmonic bands for the "good intergenerational relationship" in Azorean emigrant communities.
 
Paulo Teves spoke at the opening of the Meeting of Philharmonic Band Conductors of the Azorean Diaspora. The government official stressed that "the young people who make up our philharmonic bands are in a healthy environment that privileges a healthy coexistence of essential skills to the harmonious development of human beings, such as team spirit, solidarity and friendship among all band members."
 
"Because it highly values the role of these important musical associations in the social life of the communities where they belong, the Government of the Azores has closely followed their paths," said the Regional Director.
 
"The support granted to the travel expenses of several philharmonic bands from the archipelago and the communities contributes to the strengthening of relations on both sides and promotes our presence in the world," added the government official.
 
For Paulo Teves, "the philharmonic bands in the Azorean Diaspora play an important role in social cohesion of the community itself."
 
"With their performances and presence, they solemnize cultural events, whether religious or not, which embody the identity of the communities to where they belong," said the government official.
 
In turn, the Regional Director for Culture, who was also present at the opening of this meeting, reiterated the "importance of philharmonic bands in perpetuating and promoting the identity and cultural values of the Azores."
 
In his speech, Nuno Ribeiro Lopes stressed the "need to implement collaboration and training through networking, transforming philharmonic bands into the pillars of musical training, regardless of their location or capacity."
 
The Regional Director also highlighted "the effort that has been carried out by these institutions to keep up with the new challenges created by an open and globalised world, allowing them to have new experiences and reach new audiences."
 
Nuno Ribeiro Lopes also stressed the "importance of strengthening cultural ties between the Region and the Diaspora in order to actively coordinate the knowledge of different realities and different trends," pointing out the example of this initiative.
 
The Meeting of Philharmonic Band Conductors of the Azorean Diaspora is organised by the regional Directorates for Culture and Communities in partnership with the Recreational Group of International Tourist Activities on Terceira - GREAT and the support of Praia da Vitória City Hall.
 
The event features the participation of the conductors of 18 philharmonic bands from Azorean communities, namely from the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Colombia, Canada (Canada) and the states of California and Massachusetts (United States of America).
 
For one week, participants will have the opportunity to receive training in the areas of musical composition and direction, and band conducting.
 
During the meeting, 18 conductors will work with Sociedade Recreio Lajense philharmonic band to perform a joint concert.
 
The show, which will mark the end of the initiative, will take place at the Ramo Grande Auditorium in Praia da Vitória on May 28 at 9 PM; entrance is free.