The Regional Under Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stressed in Florianópolis the importance of the process to restore the Azorean legacy in the Azorean State of Santa Catarina in Brazil, where the first Azorean settlers arrived in 1748.

"Until the early 1980s, there was little knowledge, either in Southern Brazil or in the Azores, about the Azorean settlement and, above all, about the major cultural influence of Azorean culture on this island as well as in the coastline along the State of Santa Catarina," said Rodrigo Oliveira. The government official added that the "rediscovery of these roots and the rapprochement between the Azores and Santa Catarina had its momentum just after the creation of the Azorean Studies Centre in Southern Brazil, the establishment of the University of the Azores and the collaboration between both institutions that started in the mid-1980s."

Rodrigo Oliveira spoke Tuesday at the opening session of the symposium celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Azorean Studies Centre (NEA) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. The Regional Under Secretary stressed that the "beginning of the process towards the recovery of Azorean identity in Santa Catarina coincided with the early days of Autonomy in the Azores. Over the years, it has been decisively supported by the self-government bodies of the Region with the aim of acknowledging the value of the Diaspora and the historic links to other territories."

"Today, we can proudly say that Azores and Santa Catarina are no longer those distant relatives of whom we hear, but we know nothing or little about them," stated Rodrigo Oliveira. In this context, the government official added that "both sides of the Atlantic are aware and acknowledge the crucial role played by Azorean settlers in Southern Brazil; their influence still lives in the roots of Santa Catarina culture."

In this symposium focused on the preservation of the Azorean cultural heritage, the Regional Under Secretary stressed that "the two pillars on which the assertion of 'Azoreanity' in Santa Catarina is based are, precisely, NEA and the House of the Azores. The Regional Directorate for Communities (DRCom) works closely with these institutions and supports them through protocols that were signed in the early 2000s."

During the ceremony, the Regional Directorate for Communities was distinguished by NEA with an award that "honours the decisive partnership to the revitalisation of the Azorean cultural identity in the coastal regions of Santa Catarina." The Government of the Azores, through the DRCom, is considered to be "main partner institution of NEA in the projects intended to promote the Azorean Cultural Legacy in the Coastal Regions of Santa Catarina."

Mentioning the Azorean presence in that state, Rodrigo Oliveira pointed out that "we can easily see our legacy in several areas: architecture of traditional houses, the paving techniques used in pavements, the traditional outline of churches and "impérios" (Holy Spirit chapels), religion, Holy Spirit festivities, family names, facial features, legends, tales and rhymes, and even in a language whose proverbs are quite similar."
 
Rodrigo Oliveira also mentioned that the cultural heritage left by the Azorean couples who settled in this Brazilian region is "even more comprehensive and far reaching," namely in handicrafts, cuisine, folklore, literature and the arts in general.

"Being aware that this valuable human heritage builds and complements our history of more than five centuries, the Autonomous Region of the Azores has stimulated our relations, which, nowadays, go beyond the emotional ties and the culture that unites us," said the government official. According to him, "the work developed by institutions - which is that of people - has once more united what geographic and time distance had separated."

The Regional Under Secretary emphasised the work that has been developed by NEA, an institution established in 1984 at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, whose initiatives contribute to a wider dissemination of the Azores presence throughout the world. In this regard, Rodrigo Oliveira stressed that "its partnerships with over 40 municipalities in the State of Santa Catarina, covering an area over 15 thousand square kilometres and more than one people, are of great relevance not only in the academic world but also in the rediscovery of the roots of people, places, institutions and cultural manifestations."

"This important partner of the Azorean Government has contributed to expand the knowledge on our common history, strengthening the relation and cooperation between the Azores and this tenth island," the government official said, restating the availability of regional authorities to "continue working together."

According to Rodrigo Oliveira, "only the joint effort of various parties - governments, universities and associations - can safeguard our legacy and pass it on to forthcoming generations so that we may continue to honour the path followed so far."