Vice-Presidency promotes Europe Day celebrations on Flores Island - Communication

Vice-Presidência do Governo Regional

The Vice-Presidency of the Government of the Azores, through the Regional Directorate for European Affairs and External Cooperation, will organise the regional celebrations of Europe Day on May 9 on the island of Flores, the westernmost point of Europe, thereby highlighting the geopolitical and identity-defining role of the Outermost Regions within the European project.

The celebrations – which mark both Europe Day and 40 years of European integration – will take place in the municipalities of Lajes das Flores and Santa Cruz das Flores. They are open to everyone and involve the school community, senior citizens, and various local and regional organisations.

The programme begins at 9.30 am at Lajes das Flores Town Hall with the raising of the flags and the performance of the Portuguese, Azorean and European anthems by the União Operária e Cultural Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Philharmonic Band. This will be followed by the Official Opening Ceremony, featuring speeches by the Mayor of Lajes das Flores, Beto Vasconcelos, the Representative of the Government of Catalonia in Portugal, Rui Reis, and the Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima.

There will be a tribute to Pedro da Silveira, “Europe’s westernmost poet,” with a speech delivered by Gabriela Silva, a native of Flores, followed by a recital of his poems by the “A Jangada” theatre group.

The event will continue with the opening of the “Europe in Postcards” exhibition, featuring works created by middle school students from the Flores Basic Education and Secondary School and the Lajes das Flores Basic Education and Kindergarten. The programme also includes the award-delivery ceremony and the official launch ceremony for the CTT (Portuguese Postal Service) stamp, postcard, envelope and official postmark, celebrating the occasion with the winning design from the postcard contest.

At Europe’s westernmost point – Fajã Grande – the programme continues at 12:30 p.m. with the unveiling of a tile mural celebrating 40 years of European integration, a work created by students from the Ceramics Club of Flores Basic Education and Secondary School.  The event will feature brief institutional speeches and a reflection on the geopolitical symbolism of Flores Island in the European context, led by António Maria Gonçalves from Flores.

The programme also includes a visit to Monchique Islet, weather permitting, symbolically marking the date at the westernmost point of Europe, located on the west coast of Flores Island.

The programme resumes at 5 p.m. at the Santa Cruz das Flores Town Hall with the opening of the “Flags of the Member States of the European Union” exhibition, showcasing works created by elderly residents of the Santas Casas da Misericórdia de Santa Cruz and Lajes das Flores.

This will be followed by the official speeches, which will be delivered by the Mayor of Santa Cruz das Flores, Elisabete Nóia, and the Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, Artur Lima, after which the guest speaker, Adolfo Mesquita Nunes, will address the topic “Smart Europe: benefits for the outermost regions.” This conference will precede the official closing of  Europe Day celebrations, after a moment for debate. 

This initiative, which includes official ceremonies and speeches, cultural events, exhibitions and educational activities, stems from a partnership between the Vice-Presidency of the Government of the Azores and the Municipal Councils of Santa Cruz das Flores and Lajes das Flores. It counts on the support of Flores Basic Education and Secondary School, Santa Casa da Misericórdia das Lajes das Flores, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santa Cruz das Flores,  “A Jangada” Theatre Group, CTT, and the Angra do Heroísmo Philatelic Society.

The celebrations of Europe Day on the island of Flores take on special significance as they coincide with the 40th anniversary of Portugal and Spain’s accession to the then European Economic Community on January 1, 1986, a defining milestone for the economic, social and territorial development of the country and the Region.