The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated today in Lajes do Pico that human investment in the training of youngsters and qualification of adults "is the basis for the creation of more knowledge, which will enhance the development of skills."

"This premise also applies to the world of museums, which should attract younger audiences and benefit from experience of older audiences," stressed Avelino Meneses. The government official spoke at the opening ceremony of the Auditorium of the Whaling Museum, adding that "one can understand in these circumstances that facilities are not most important aspect of institutions."

"In this regard, the Pico Museum, especially the Whaling Museum, can be considered a good example. This institution has always safeguarded the dissemination of the cultural heritage to future generations, even when its facilities were rudimentary. It has always contributed to the recognition of the Azorean community, particularly with regard to the life on the island of Pico in past times," stressed Avelino Meneses.

Nevertheless, the Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stressed that "the construction and improvement of facilities whether on Pico or in the archipelago is an imperative for the promotion of development and dignity."

"In fact, the availability of modern and functional infrastructures fosters the collection, processing and availability of heritage, especially of whaling heritage, for the benefit of the local community and visitors as well," stressed the government official.

With the opening of the Auditorium, Avelino Meneses revealed that there will be an increased contribution of the Whaling Museum to the development of culture in the Azores. Moreover, it will also contribute to the projection of Lajes do Pico as "the Whaling Village, a sort of world capital of whaling culture dedicated to naval carpentry industry, the art of sailing and local handicrafts."

With a budget of half a million Euros, the Auditorium of the Whaling Museum has a capacity for one hundred people. Its opening was the result of a process that began in 2009.

The opening session also included the "Meeting of Azorean Guitars," a concert that gathered Azorean guitar players from several islands of the archipelago.