The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External relations stressed in Bermuda the "genuine commitment and determination" of Azorean emigrants in this archipelago to play an active role in the society that welcomed them, "without losing their identity and ties to the Azores."

"This integration and contribution as well as the qualities of the Azores are recognised and valued by Bermudian public authorities and institutions, as I noted in the meetings I had with Premier Michael Dunkley and the Governor, George Fergusson," said Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official spoke Saturday during the celebrations of the Day of the Azores that were organised by the Association of Friends of the House of the Azores of Bermuda.

On the occasion, the Under Secretary congratulated the House of the Azores of Bermuda for its recent creation. This "demonstrates the dynamics of the Azorean identity and its communities" and of celebration of the Day of the Azores; the latter was "prepared with commitment and dedication to honour our land and our people.”

The event brought together over two hundred people, including the member of the Parliament of Bermuda, Jefferson Colby Sousa a politician of Azorean descent. In his speech, Rodrigo Oliveira stressed "the commitment of the Azorean community in Bermuda in preserving its ties with our islands, maintaining traditions, festivities. However, it is also committed to the involvement of younger generations in the learning of Portuguese language and the improvement of their skills so that they can later succeed in their civic, economic, cultural, social and political intervention."

The Under Secretary of the Presidency External Relations, who was accompanied by the Regional Director for Communities, Paulo Teves, made a three-day visit to Bermuda to mark the 165 years since the beginning of the Azorean emigration to the archipelago, where it is estimated that about 20-25% of the population is of Portuguese descent; 90% are of Azorean origin.

For Rodrigo Oliveira, it is important that Azorean emigrants residing in Bermuda and their descendants "know the Azores better, especially the path that has been followed over the last 40 years, and take pride in the Region that the Azoreans have managed to build and remain committed to improve."

During the visit, the government official stressed opened two libraries with over 550 books on the Azores and Azorean authors at the National Library and at the Library of the University of Bermuda. They will now provide "an important tool for the dissemination of Azorean history, geography, culture and society."

"From now on, university students and the general public have privileged spaces to discover or enhance their knowledge on the diverse richness of the Azores," said Rodrigo Oliveira, conveying his belief that "new generations will remain attached to their origins and take pride in the Azores, which are the land of their parents and grandparents and the land of their descendants.”