Half a Century of Pride in the Middle of the Atlantic Ocean: Azores Celebrates its 50th Year of Autonomy

A historical turning point is at the door for Portugal's mid-ocean pearl, the Azores. It has been exactly 50 years since the archipelago gained constitutional autonomy, and this half-century of democratic achievement is being celebrated with a full program in the city of Horta on Faial Island.

The best part of the celebrations is that they are designed to include every generation. The events start on Wednesday, September 2, with children and young people visiting the Parliament Museum and the plenary hall. While the children will learn on-site how the parliament works and what autonomy means, elderly people and visitors from the social centers on the island will meet with the chairman of the assembly, Luís Garcia, in the afternoon.

Loyalty to Founding Names and Historical Ceremonies

On Thursday, September 3, the historical and spiritual dimension of the work comes to the fore. The first term deputies of the Regional Assembly of the Azores and the first President of the Regional Government, João Bosco Mota Amaral, will be hosted and honored in the general assembly hall. President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, is also coming to the island for the celebrations.

In the evening of the same day, a public service will be held at the Horta Parish Church, followed by the first performance of the musical "O Canto da Autonomia" (Song of Autonomy) at Teatro Faialense. The show will be open to the public the next day, those who want to watch must obtain tickets from Urbhorta box offices.

Simultaneous Enthusiasm in 19 Municipalities

The main culmination of the program is the official parliamentary session at 10:30 on Friday, September 4th. In this session, which will be held to commemorate the historic opening of the first parliament on September 4, 1976, all political party representatives and government officials will speak, and former presidents will be remembered with respect.

The celebrations are not limited to Horta; On Friday evening at 18:30, this 50-year pride will be experienced simultaneously in all islands with simultaneous events in 19 municipalities of the Azores.

Source: TPN, Lusa

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