The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated in Angra do Heroísmo that, 40 years after the institutionalisation of Autonomy, we must "always call" the energy of the Azorean people for "the ceaseless battle for development."
 
"In the past, we have managed to unite our will in defence of the territory against the threat of the Spanish and many other peoples. Today, 40 years after the institutionalisation of Autonomy, which was the starting point of the transformation of the Azores, we must always call for the power of our fellow citizens to the ceaseless battle of development; it can only be won with the promotion of innovation and knowledge," said Avelino Meneses.
 
The Regional Secretary spoke at the opening of "Manuel Coelho Batista de Lima" Military History Centre of Angra do Heroísmo Museum, which he presided over on behalf of the President of the Government.
 
In his speech, he stressed that the opening of this museum centre, which is installed in the old building of Boa Nova Hospital near S. João Batista fortress, takes place at the "right time" as the date of July 25, 2016 marks the 435 years of the "memorable" Battle of Salga.
 
Avelino Meneses stressed that, since this "admirable date of July 25, 1581 and for about two years, Portugal was only the Azores. In this regard, he added that the Region "has never charged this service" because "patriotism is priceless."
 
However, the Regional Secretary defended that "the memory of this feat should be honoured so that the country will not forget it."
 
Given the symbolism and the challenges of today - innovation and knowledge - the current "battle" of the Azoreans is "also an act of culture," said the government official.
 
As for culture, Avelino Meneses stressed that the Regional Government is guided by "two essential purposes," namely the transmission of ancestors’ heritage and the ability to create specific or collective agents."
 
The Regional Secretary stressed that the Government's goals are put into practice by cultural institutions, museums, libraries, archives, musical and theatre groups and other cultural agents.
 
Avelino Meneses added that the Government of the Azores will "soon" open the new Angra do Heroísmo Public Library and Regional Archives as well as the first phase of Santo André Centre of Carlos Machado Museum in Ponta Delgada.
 
Next month, the Flores Museum will be reopened with a new museography and the works of the museum centre of Vila do Porto on Santa Maria are due to start soon; the latter also includes the Airport Cinema. Moreover, the Government will begin the construction of the Time Museum, included in Corvo Ecomuseum, and the new museography of the Whaling Museum on Pico.
 
The Military History Centre of Angra do Heroísmo Museum was name after "Manuel Coelho Batista de Lima," paying "well-deserved" tribute to a man who has devoted his life to museology and archives, namely on the island of Terceira.
 
During this opening, the centre features three exhibitions that depict the relation of human beings with weapons, the life and work of Baptista de Lima in favour of Azorean museums and archives, and the history of Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova Chapel.
 
The "Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima" Military History Centre represented a Government's investment over two million Euros. The size of its collection is only surpassed by Lisbon Military Museum.