“I Love Azores” contest strengthens ties between young people of Azorean descent and Region - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, through the Regional Directorate for the Communities, and SATA/Azores Airlines are launching, in partnership, the "I Love Azores" contest. This initiative aims to strengthen cultural and emotional ties between young people of Azorean descent living in North America and the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

The contest falls within the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and the 85th anniversary of regional carrier SATA, which will be marked in 2026. It is a joint project to promote Azorean identity and bring communities closer to their homeland.

Aimed at participants aged 18 to 40 with family ties to the Azores, the competition challenges those interested to write an original text in English, no longer than one A4 page, about their connection to the Azores. Entries must include references to the "Autonomous Region of the Azores," "Azorean Communities" and "SATA."

Applications will be accepted from February 1 to April 30, 2026. They must be submitted online using the appropriate form - https://forms.gle/2YugKZW2vzjyUJBm8.  Participants may submit only one application and must indicate the air route for which they are applying.

A prize will be awarded, consisting of a round-trip flight (taxes not included) operated by SATA Azores Airlines on one of the following routes: Boston–Azores, New York–Azores, Toronto–Azores and Montreal–Azores. Prizes are personal, non-transferable, and valid for one year.

Entries will be evaluated by a jury chaired by the prestigious and award-winning American writer of Azorean descent, Katherine Vaz, alongside the Regional Director for the Communities, José Andrade, and SATA Sales and Marketing Director, Graça Silva. The criteria for evaluation will be based on originality and creativity, linguistic clarity, and relevance to the theme.

Katherine Vaz, a descendant of a family from Terceira, was born in the United States and currently resides in New York. She is one of the most prominent Portuguese-American writers today. Her second novel, Mariana, was published in six languages and chosen by the United States Library of Congress as one of the 30 Best International Books of 1998. Among other distinctions, she was named Portuguese-American Woman of the Year. In 2022, she was recognised by PALCUS - Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States as one of the most influential women of Portuguese descent of all time. 

The results of the “I Love Azores” contest will be announced on May 25, 2026, Azores Day, on the websites and official social media pages of the two promoting entities.

With this joint initiative, the Regional Government and SATA/Azores Airlines reiterate their commitment to promoting Azorean culture, strengthening ties with emigrant communities, and fostering a sense of belonging to the Autonomous Region of the Azores.