The President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, highlighted the central role of Azoreans in the diaspora, saying that Azorean emigrants are present in various parts of the world, always motivated by the desire to provide a better future for their families, according to a statement from the regional government.
The Azorean governor was received this Saturday by the Governor of Bermuda, Rena Lalgie, in Hamilton, where he took part as guest of honor in the gala commemorating 175 years of the Portuguese contribution to Bermuda’s history.
The event brought together various personalities and members of the Azorean and Portuguese communities in Bermuda, and it was a celebration that highlighted the Azorean influence and its lasting connection with the British archipelago.
“Our diaspora is prestigious and helps to give prestige to the Azores. Immigration is not an abandonment of our origin, because our hearts are always tied to the Azores and Portugal,” said José Manuel Bolieiro, quoted in the same press release.
According to the same statement, the president of the Azorean government considers Azoreanness an intrinsic value that represents a deep connection to Azorean culture and identity, even when one lives far away from one’s homeland.
José Manuel Bolieiro considered the diaspora a reflection of the Azorean resilience and humanism, “which enriches both the Azores and the communities that welcome these emigrants.”


“This Azorean value fills me with pride. We want to love our land, and at the same time, out of love for our families, we are able to leave to achieve success and contribute to the prestige of the Azores,” he said.
José Manuel Bolieiro pointed out the importance of strengthening ties between the Azores and Bermuda around shared objectives, namely preserving the ocean and promoting sustainable practices.
“We share the will to defend our ecosystems and value the ocean, making us an example to the world of how to care for nature,” said the Azorean leader.
He stressed that, throughout its history, the Azores have been a benchmark for environmental respect and protection.
José Manuel Bolieiro stressed that the Government of the Azores is already working to strengthen the region’s leadership in protecting the oceans, recognizing the central role that the Atlantic plays for the archipelago.
“The greatness of the ocean adds a lot of value to the small size of our islands. We need to make the most of our sea geostrategically,” he said, stressing the international recognition that the Azores have gained for their leadership in environmental practices and sustainable management of marine resources.

José Manuel Bolieiro took the opportunity to mention the importance of the transatlantic digital connection project through Google’s new submarine fiber optic cable, called “Cloud,” which will connect Europe to the United States, passing through Bermuda and the Azores.
With an approximate length of 6,900 kilometers, the cable will connect the city of Myrtle Beach, in the United States, to the island of São Miguel and the Portuguese town of Sines, “placing the Azores at the center of an important global communications hub,” explains the statement.
For José Manuel Bolieiro, this project represents “a historic moment in transatlantic life” and reinforces the Azores’ geostrategic centrality in the Atlantic.
He expressed his confidence in the future of relations between the Azores and Bermuda, stressing that both can inspire the world with their examples of respect for the environment and cultural identity, and also underlined the importance of collaboration between the two archipelagos in areas ranging from environmental preservation to new technologies and digital communications.
“I am proud of our history and ambitious for our common future. The Azores and Bermuda will set good examples to the world on how to look after our nature, preserve our sea and ensure the identity of a people with a common culture,” he concluded.

In Diário da Lagoa-Clife Botelho, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.