The Government of the Azores will promote a series of initiatives to celebrate the European Day on May 9. After being celebrated on the islands of São Miguel, Faial, Terceira and Flores, this year’s celebrations will take place on the island of Graciosa, involving the participation of students from various Azorean schools. The event will also be attended by the Regional Secretary of the Presidency, André Bradford, on behalf of the President of the Regional Government, Carlos César.

These initiatives will count on the participation of the finalists of the multimedia contest “Açores, 25 anos na União Europeia” (Azores, 25 years in the European Union) in which the following teams were selected: “Eurotiks” from Santa Maria Basic Education and Secondary School; “As Ribeirinhas” from Ribeira Grande Secondary School on São Miguel; “Os Mamutes” from Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade Secondary School on Terceira; “Rochas Atlânticas” from Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School; “Blueteam” from Manuel de Arriaga Secondary School on Faial; “The Union” from São Roque do Pico Basic Education and Secondary School; “Flowerforce” from Flores Basic Education and Secondary School and the team from Velas Basic Education and Secondary School on the island of São Jorge.

The teams, consisting of three students, will participate in the celebrations of the European Day at the Graciosa Basic Education and Secondary School where, among several artistic and recreational activities, they will contest the final round of the contest “Europe Quiz,” whose winners will be awarded a trip to Brussels, including visits to the most emblematic places of the EU policy-making centre.

With this initiative, the Government of the Azores intends to enhance the dissemination and knowledge of issues concerning the European Union, particularly among youngsters and in the context of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Portugal adherence to the European Union, as well as to stimulate creativity among students and the use of new audio-visual and communication technologies.

The final results and other information may be consulted on the page of the Regional Under Secretary for European Affairs and External Cooperation on the portal of the Government of the Azores at: http://www.azores.gov.pt/Portal/pt/entidades/srp-ssraece/textoImagem/Dia+da+Europa+2011.htm.