The exhibition “Portugal Europeu – Meio Século de História” (European Portugal – Half Century of History) exhibition starts on Faial a journey in the Autonomous Region of the Azores where it will be open to the public on each island between June and September.

This exhibition, an initiative of the Cabinet of the European Parliament in Portugal in partnership with the Government of the Azores, provides visitors with a journey through several decades of relations between Portugal and Europe; it was opened at the Teatro Faialense in the city of Horta at a ceremony chaired by the Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation, who stressed that “this is the moment to reinforce the connection and the sense of belonging among between citizens and the European project.”

“In fact, in a context of crisis in Europe, where many doubt their own ability to provide the necessary answers and when we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Portugal’s membership in the EU, it is our responsibility to promote a better understanding and closeness with the European Union as well as its importance and contribution to the development and convergence process of our country and our Region,” stated the Regional Under Secretary.

Hence, Rodrigo Oliveira praised the fact that the Cabinet of the European Parliament “understands the nature of the archipelago, our attachment to the value of internal cohesion and, consequently, the importance in bringing this national exhibition to all Azorean islands,” recalling the numerous initiatives and partnerships between the Government and the Cabinet of the European Parliament in recent years.

The opening of the exhibition “Portugal Europeu – Meio Século de História” was also attended by the Mayor of Horta, João Castro, MEPs Luís Paulo Alves and Maria do Céu Patrão Neves and by the representative of the Cabinet of the European Parliament, Teresa Coutinho, who provided a guided tour to the exhibition to several guests after the opening session. 

The Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation had the opportunity to highlight the quality of the exhibition, which tells the history of Portugal in Europe and the entire process of European integration, through a journey in time, consisting of more than 180 images, newspaper pages and historical documents that depict its most memorable moments.

“The challenges that Europe faces call for joint efforts and responsibility at different levels of governance and institutions involved in the protection of regional and national interests as well as of the fundamental values of the European project, such as solidarity and cohesion,” concluded said Rodrigo Oliveira. 

The exhibition “Portugal Europeu – Meio Século de História” will be open to the public at the Multipurpose Room of the Teatro Faialense until June 21, travelling to the island of Corvo between June 24 -30 (Lounge of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia), Flores between July 1- 8 (Santa Cruz Municipal Library), São Jorge between July 13-20 (Velas Municipal Auditorium), Pico from July 21 to 31 (Art and Marine Sciences Centre, Lajes), Terceira from August 3 to 10 (Arts and Youth Academy, Praia da Vitória), Graciosa from August 11 to 21 (Santa Cruz Municipal Library), Santa Maria from August 26 to September 4 (Nossa Senhora da Vitória Church, Vila do Porto) and São Miguel between September 9-16 at the Povoação Municipal Auditorium and at the Ribeira Grande House of Culture between September 17-25.