The Regional Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations highlighted the commitment of those who are participating in the "Training Course on Bobbin Lace: from Santa Catarina to the Azores." In this context, the government official stated that "in addition to learning a technique, participants had the opportunity of experience this activity, which is not just a craft or a technique; it is a life experience that represents everything the Azores are and what brought to Florianopolis and South Brazil many years ago."

 Speaking at the closing session of the training course and at the launching session of the book "Renda de Bilros de Florianópolis" (Bobbin lace from Florianopolis), Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that the initiative "brought together the many miles that separate us from Southern Brazil and from the two and a half centuries of history, when the first Azorean settlers arrived in Santa Catarina.

 In his speech, the government official recalled the difficulties endured by hundreds of emigrants, praising the perseverance of the Azoreans who headed to South Brazil: "emigration to Brazil took place in a specific timeline but it endured in the genes passed on to coming generations due to the strong character and culture of the people." Nowadays, the legacy is still visible in the traditions of Azorean origin as well as in the pride of Santa Catarina's population in their Azorean origins.

 The Regional Under Secretary also stressed the contribution provided by this initiative to the "closure of a cycle" that united centuries-old traditions; its organisation involved several governmental departments.

 "Azorean emigrants brought with them this technique 250 years ago. They had probably learned it from Flemish settlers 200 years before and now in the 21st century, the new caravels from South Brazil bring us these techniques again," said the Regional Under Secretary. In this context, he emphasised the contribution provided by the House of the Azores of Santa Catarina Island to the organisation of the training course on bobbin lace. It is an opportunity to enhance the entrepreneurial skills and employability of the 30 participants in addition to contributing to their personal development. Moreover, the initiative also plays an important in the recovery of this craft in the Azores.

 Rodrigo Oliveira mentioned the fact that the end of the course coincides with the Holy Christ of Miracles Festivities. The exhibition will be open to the public at Campo de São Francisco. In this context, the government official noted the importance of sharing the works developed during the course with "thousands and thousands of emigrants who return to express their faith, being also a way of demonstrating our deep-rooted traditions." This initiative allows brings the communities from the United States, Canada and Bermuda closer to the communities from South Brazil, particularly to the those from Florianopolis and the State of Santa Catarina.

An initiative of the Regional Community for Communities in partnership with the Regional Directorate for Employment and Vocational Training and the Regional Centre for Handicrafts, the training course was attended by thirty trainees who learned the traditional craft of bobbin lace under the guidance of two lace makers from Santa Catarina, Brazil.
 
Hence, they have contributed to the promotion and revitalisation of an art that has existed for 250 years in Southern Brazil, where it was first taken by the first Azorean settlers.

 The final works in bobbin lace will be displayed at an exhibition that will be open on Friday at the Chapel of São José Church. The exhibition may be visited until May 29 and admission is free.