José Manuel Bolieiro says autonomy is “a constant challenge for current and future generations” - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, defended today that Autonomy represented a "transformative achievement," always being "in progress" and representing a "constant challenge for current and future generations."

"It is the people who must celebrate their own achievement. We want the people to be involved in their own achievement," stressed the President of the Government.

José Manuel Bolieiro, together with the President of the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Luís Garcia, presented today some of the elements that make up the official programme of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Constitutional Autonomy of the Azores.

Calling for the involvement of everyone, including local authorities, schools, political parties and citizens, the President of the Government stated that the programme will include "institutional moments." Nevertheless, it is intended to be a milestone honouring the "legacy of democracy and political autonomy in the Azores."

The role of the media as a catalyst for "information that shapes media opinion on these matters" was also praised by the President of the Government.

This afternoon's session also included the announcement of the members of the Organising Committee for the Commemorations, comprising Ricardo Madruga da Costa, Pedro Gomes, Emanuel Areias, Teresa Brito e Melo, Susana Goulart Costa and Rute Lacerda, who will be responsible for overseeing and promoting the series of initiatives marking this historic milestone.

During the presentation, the official visuals for the celebrations were also unveiled, as well as the website that will congregate all information concerning the programme, bringing together the agenda, public content and institutional information.

The programme will run throughout 2026, with activities spread across the various islands, including conferences, formal sessions, exhibitions, book launches, intergenerational meetings, concerts and initiatives evoking the historical and political evolution of the Azorean autonomy project, as set out in the official commemorations document.