Regional Government promotes literary residency in Flores and Corvo marking 600th anniversary of archipelago’s discovery - Communication

Secretaria Regional dos Assuntos Parlamentares e Comunidades

The Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, in partnership with the National Culture Centre and the Disquiet project, will promote a literary residency on the Western Group Islands between July 12 and 18.

The initiative is part of the preparations for the celebrations marking the 600th anniversary of the discovery of the Azores, to be commemorated in 2027, and is dedicated to reflecting on concepts of interculturalism, shared experiences, outermost regions and island autonomy.

The Disquiet project promotes exchange and immersion for American writers in Portuguese culture, having already organised activities in the Azores in previous editions focused on the sharing and symbiosis of cultural heritages that shape identity.

In this regard, it was deemed strategic to integrate this activity within the large-scale project celebrating the 600th anniversary. It highlights a crucial part of the archipelago’s history closely linked to its literature and the great literary figures who were born here or passed through, whilst simultaneously promoting its geostrategic role in the middle of the Atlantic.

During the stay on the islands of Flores and Corvo, the event’s host will be Gabriela Silva, a member of the network of volunteer partners for the project marking the 600th anniversary of the discovery of the Azores.

She will be assisted by Professor Onésimo Teotónio de Almeida and Leonor Simas-Almeida, who will guide the group of American writers on an in-depth exploration of the culture of these territories and their communities, encouraging the sharing of perspectives on what it means to be Azorean and the true essence of the Azores.