The Praia da Vitória City Council honored 31 individuals and cultural, associative, business, and sports institutions from the municipality at a ceremony commemorating the 44th anniversary of the city’s elevation, which took place on Friday afternoon, the 20th, in the Noble Hall of the City Hall.

The Mayor, Vânia Ferreira, praised their contributions to the economic, social, sporting, associative, and cultural development of the municipality, and called for everyone to unite in the recovery of the humanistic and solidarity values that have characterized Praia society for decades, which she described as “the generational project that will undoubtedly shape the future of our children and grandchildren.

“The solidarity that our ancestors achieved in the face of harsh weather, isolation, and survival must mark our actions as active members of a unique community. On this anniversary, given the current social and economic dynamics, it is imperative that we defend solidarity and combat individualism and selfishness. The current times prove to society that we will only build a community when we are able to look at others with respect and inclusion. All of us, without exception, must recover the solidarity of our ancestors and put it into practice every day,“ she emphasized.

”Only then will we be a community. Only then will Praia da Vitória be a municipality with a future. The present and future of Praia da Vitória also depend on its consolidation as a privileged place for companies, families, and young people to settle. Today, we believe that we are better prepared for this challenge,” she stressed.

In her speech, Vânia Ferreira highlighted the budgetary and financial recovery achieved by the municipality, marking it as the starting point for a new phase in the city’s revitalization.

“Financial stability is a reality in the municipality. The rigor in the accounts, the reorganization of services, the internalization of employees, giving them stability and labor justice, and the internal investments made give us guarantees in this regard,” she explained, listing several projects and measures that reveal a municipality better prepared to serve its citizens.

The Mayor of Praia da Vitória highlighted the digitization of services, online service platforms, and the information security and cybersecurity mechanisms implemented, which enable faster processes and improve responses to residents.

“With Grater’s support, we are investing in upgrading our cultural infrastructure: we are replacing the stage lighting in the Ramo Grande Auditorium, which has not seen any investment for years; and we are investing in the introduction of new digital equipment at the Terceira Island Youth and Arts Academy, expanding the possibilities for enjoyment and events, restoring its origins as a space for artistic creation,” explained Vânia Ferreira.

“Also under Prorural, managed by Grater, we are investing in equipment to strengthen the municipal capacity to maintain green spaces, bathing areas, and watercourses; we are also investing in this area in the expansion and upgrading of municipal resources to respond to disasters and emergency situations, strengthening the capabilities of our Municipal Civil Protection Service, with significant gains for the protection of the population. All projects supported by Grater represent a municipal investment of 600,000 euros,“ she announced.

”With the support of the Azores 2030 community program, we will invest in school facilities; we will resolve the business park in Vila das Lajes; and we will make our coastline more resilient to the effects of climate change. At our own expense—made possible by the financial stability we have achieved—we have invested and will continue to invest in accessibility in the municipality; in the improvement of bathing areas; in social, sports, and community support programs; in the consolidation of a municipal civil protection system; in community support programs; we have annually reinforced the financial packages for the delegation of powers to the parish councils; we have responded positively to requests for logistical support; we have significantly expanded the cultural and events agenda in this city; we have shown it to the world and promoted it for tourism both at home and abroad,” said the mayor of Praia da Vitória.

According to the Mayor of Praia da Vitória, the various awards received by the municipality prove the value and recognition of the work done.

In her official speech, Vânia Ferreira also highlighted the reduction in payment terms to suppliers (contributing to companies’ cash flow), the reduction in income tax for families, the social and educational support programs underway, the cultural initiatives, and the financial and logistical support that the municipality has provided to parish councils and municipal institutions.

“We are proud of this journey. But above all, we remain committed to maintaining it. That has been our commitment. That is our goal. Praia da Vitória is stronger, more cohesive, and better prepared for the challenges ahead. But to stay on course, we must be united, supportive, inclusive, committed, and dedicated to the public cause, to our municipality,” she emphasized.

At the ceremony commemorating the 44th anniversary of Praia da Vitória’s elevation to city status, Pedro Costa, Bruna Costa, Matilde Moules, Joaquim Barcelos, Tiago Costa, and the Juncal Social Center Sports Group were honored with the bronze municipal medal of merit (Sports); the silver municipal medal of merit (Sports) was awarded to the Biscoitos Sports Group, the Terceira Automobile Club, the Fonte do Bastardo Youth Association, the Fontinhas Sports Group, and the Sports and Recreational Group of Juncal for their 50 years of existence; the Biscoitos Sports Group, the Terceira Automobile Club, the Fonte do Bastardo Youth Association, the Fontinhas Sports Group, and the Agualva Sports and Recreation Group; with the bronze municipal medal of merit (Culture) the Doce Esperança Folkloric Group, for 25 years of activity, and Manuel Pires; with the bronze municipal medal of merit, and for 25 years of activity, the companies Eniciale, Adega Cooperativa dos Biscoitos, José Valadão e Filhos, Clínica Médica da Praia da Vitória, restaurant “o Pescador”, Ivoconta, Praia Ferragens, Imobiliária Praiense, the Casa da Ribeira Community Center (for 25 years of activity), Francisco Ferraz, Gerardo Meneses, Lourdes Pereira, Guilherme Vasconcelos, Gonçalo Gil, and Gilberto Franzon; and with the silver municipal medal of merit, for 50 years of activity, Terceirense Rações, Casa Astória, and the Agricultural Association of Terceira Island.

At the ceremony, the book “Os Sinais da Escrita – Ensaio Nemesiano” (The Signs of Writing – Nemesian Essay), by Eduardo Ferraz da Rosa, was presented and will be launched publicly shortly.

From a municipality press release

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.

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