The Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Pedro Nascimento Cabral, attended the Emigrant Festival, held at the Coliseu Micaelense, welcoming the opportunity to “share this moment with those who once left here, by boat or plane, in search of a better life in the United States, Canada, or even Bermuda, leaving behind parents, wives, children, friends, without ever forgetting their homeland.”
At this event, which marks the start of the Festival in Honor of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, the mayor witnessed, before thousands of emigrants, “the dedication and symbolism of the presence of those who have not broken ties with their roots, their traditions, and their island. Revitalizing a new soul, the soul of the Azores anywhere in the world.”
Pedro Nascimento Cabral also took advantage of the audience at this concert by Tony Carreira, David Carreira, and Mickael Carreira to reinforce the message that “the Azorean Diaspora is full of inspiring examples of struggle and determination, which make us very proud and which will always find Ponta Delgada with open arms to welcome you.”
“Welcome home. Welcome to Ponta Delgada. Enjoy this emigrant festival and the Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres! Live these days reconnecting with your faith, family, friends, and, of course, with our city,” she emphasized.
On the occasion, the President of Coliseu Micaelense, Cila Simas, also expressed that “the largest concert hall in the Azores is keen to honor emigrants with this initiative, which takes place during the Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, in cooperation with the Municipality of Ponta Delgada, and so it is a pleasure to see, especially on this day, this hall full of our people.”
In Correio dos Açores, Natalino Viveiros-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
Novidades - The Islands and the Diaspora 