The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations pointed out the involvement of Corvo islanders in the decision-making process regarding a public art intervention to be performed on the smallest island of the Azores under the Europe Day celebrations.
 
Rui Bettencourt spoke Thursday on Corvo at the end of a meeting with the population, stressing that such involvement is "a milestone in the westernmost territory of Europe and, therefore, what is taking place in this process holds a very special meaning."
 
"This meeting with Corvo islanders was a great satisfaction because we prepared with the local population the celebration of Europe Day 2017," said Rui Bettencourt. In this context, the government official highlighted the participation of the population in a public act that is part of a series of European citizenship actions. It is also "an act of citizenship," through which the local population decided whose Corvo islander will be represented in this work.
 
Designed by Daniel Eime, this public art work will be opened on Europe Day and will represent a Corvo islander and Jacques Delors; the latter was a pro-European and the father of the European Union.
 
In the voting held under the action designated as "Corvo Citizen, European Citizen," the local population decided that the person to be represented in the mural will be the oldest inhabitant of the village, José Mendonça Machado, aged 96, who already had a meeting with the Regional Secretary.
 
"During this legislative period, we will award priority status to our concerns about European citizenship and promote the debate on European issues in the Azores," Rui Bettencourt said, noting that the meeting with the population and the lecture held at the local school were "very interesting and positive."
 
Rui Bettencourt delivered a lecture under the theme "Pillars of the European project" at Mouzinho da Silveira Basic Education and Secondary School, where met with young people of various ages.
 
In his speech, he addressed various aspects of European citizenship, such as the history of the European Union and the future of Europe. He left a message to Corvo youth that "the Azores have a say on the European stage."
 
The Regional Secretary was accompanied by the Regional Director for Culture, Nuno Lopes during this visit to the smallest island of the archipelago. In this context, he stressed the partnership with the Regional Directorate for Culture in this project and the collaboration of Mouzinho da Silveira Basic Education and Secondary School and Corvo Town Hall.