The Government of the Azores plans to invest over one million Euros this year under the incentive schemes for the Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard. These investments are intended to renew and maintain the traditional vineyard culture landscape in "currais" (plots protected by stone walls), classified as World Heritage, announced the Regional Director for the Environment today.

Hernâni Jorge spoke on behalf of the Regional Secretary for Natural Resources at the opening session of the colloquium marking the 10th anniversary of the approval of the application for the Classification of the Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture by UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The Regional Director highlighted "the extraordinary technical and scientific work that has contributed to this distinction." In this context, the government official stressed that "it honours the extraordinary collective legacy that demonstrates the witness and perseverance of our people - the Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture."

For Hernâni Jorge, this legacy has been preserved and its use is being "enhanced for the present and the future in an atmosphere of true intergenerational solidarity."

"Last year, a total of 50 renewal projects were approved, representing an area of nearly 65 hectares. In just a year, we have managed to surpass the 50 hectares that corresponded to 66 projects approved in the previous nine years," said Hernâni Jorge.

"This week, the Government of the Azores processed the financial support for the maintenance contracts, which amounts to over 365 thousand Euros. This measure currently comprises 205 beneficiaries." The government official specified that the maintenance contracts "cover an area of about 156 hectares of vineyards and to which it will be added another 85 hectares in the immediate future."

For the Government of the Azores, "aspects such as the building heritage, wine growing and production, biodiversity and the geodiversity of Pico" will "boost the growth of traditional sectors" and "create new business opportunities, particularly those related to wine tourism."

"The World Heritage distinction has undoubtedly contributed to the preservation of this landscape as well as to its visibility and, subsequently, to an increase in the number of visitors. This fact has brought more responsibility to public authorities and the private sector, instilling them to provide a diversified offer of quality products and activities," stressed the Regional Director.

"As cultural and natural heritage is a vital life force and a source of inspiration as well as a cornerstone and reference point, we cannot stop working on the preservation and enhancement of this fundamental element of our identity."

"The Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture is one of the most important economic and social development hubs of Pico and the Azores, projecting the Azores and Portugal in the World," stated Hernâni Jorge.

The colloquium under the title "Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture - 10 Years as World Heritage - Moment of debate, reflection, assessment and perspective on the Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture" will be open to the public in general. It will take place at the auditorium of Cardeal Costa Nunes School in Madalena until Sunday.

 The Landscape of Pico Island Vineyard Culture runs along a total area of 987 hectares and is surrounded by a buffer zone of nearly 2,000 hectares.

It consists of a strip of land that partially comprises the North and South coasts and the West coast as well; its emblematic sites are Lajido da Criação Velha and Lajido de Santa Luzia.

The classification of these sites took into consideration the fact that they are excellent representations of traditional architecture related to wine growing, landscape design and natural elements.

The extensive network of stone walls dates back to the 15th century. These walls are spaced apart and run parallel to the coast towards inland. They were built to protect the vineyards planted in small rectangular plots ("currais") from the wind and seawater.