The Regional Director for Communities stated in San Diego that the Azorean Diaspora "is a unique heritage that cannot be separated from the Portuguese Motherland," highlighting the importance of preserving its cultural identity and the involvement of new generations.
 
"We can never speak of Portugal without including our emigrant community spread throughout the world, their descendants and all those who, even without sharing no genetic link to the country, defend our interests and live 'Azoreanity' in many parts of the world," stressed Paulo Teves. The government official spoke at the prize-delivery ceremony of the 40th Congress of the Luso American Education Foundation, which took place at the Portuguese Association of the Holy Spirit Society.
 
In his speech, Paulo Teves praised Azorean communities in California for their exemplary civic participation in American society "without denying their identity, even though they are thousands of miles away from the Azores."
 
The Regional Director for Communities highlighted the cultural demonstrations Azorean communities in this US state, "not only to mitigate the homesickness that physical and temporal distance exacerbate but also to perpetuate in time the experiences of the past, which are part of the genetic cultural needs of each Azorean."
 
"Folk dance groups, brass bands and the Feasts of the Holy Spirit Festivities are some good examples of persistence, commitment and dedication of our community, being fundamental aspects of the affirmation of 'Azoreanity' and Portuguese culture in the world," said the government official.
 
For Paulo Teves, the current challenge lies in the "ability to gather more young people in this mission, which has been taken up by several generations, starting with the Azoreans pioneers who came to the West Coast of the United States."
 
"By listening to our communities, in particular to their concerns and aspirations, the Government of the Azores has developed several initiatives that combine the preservation of cultural identity with the expectations of new generations in order to arouse their interest to know more about their roots," stressed Paulo Teves.
 
In this regard, he stressed that "the creation of the Holy Spirit Festivities Azores/Communities itinerary and the respective Internet site, launched last year, or the new sites dedicated to folk dance groups and philharmonic bands on both sides of the Atlantic that will be available this year. They provide an essential contribution to the approach to the new generations."
 
The Regional Director for Communities also defended the need to "privilege the contact of Azorean youth with emigrants and Azorean descendants for the implementation of common projects that promote the sharing of experience and knowledge." In this regard, the government official pointed out that a course on the Azores today is scheduled for 2016. It is aimed at young people in the communities so that they can "know the history, geography, culture and current potential of the Region so that may create projects that enhance and dignify the communities and, consequently, the Azores."
 
During the visit to the Azorean communities in California, Paulo Teves participates today in a ceremony in a memory to honour tuna fishers, an activity where Portuguese emigrants, mostly originating from the Azores, played a leading role.
 
In coming days, Paulo Teves will visit the cities of San José, Turlock and Hilmar, where he will meet with various organisations and the Azorean communities living there.