NEWS | Regional Government and the State of Maranhão open Azores Square and Memorial in São Luís historic centre

The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, and the Governor of the State of Maranhão, Carlos Brandão, have opened the new Azores Square and the Azorean Memorial, located in the historic centre (Praia Grande) of São Luís, Brazil.

The ceremony marked the State of Maranhão’s tribute to the Azoreans who, over 400 years ago, made a decisive contribution to the founding and settlement of that city.

During his speech, Paulo Estêvão expressed deep emotion at the new urban development, thanking the project for “capturing the Azorean spirit so perfectly.”

The government official recalled the resilience of the first settlers who, hailing from nine isolated islands discovered in 1427, crossed the Atlantic to explore new lands, establish agriculture and fishing, and spread their deep faith, particularly through the Holy Spirit.

“Wherever the Azoreans went – and they went to many places – they had the resilience to clear the land and make it productive,” the Regional Secretary said, praising the strong presence and success of the diaspora scattered across the globe.

The new space, developed by the Metropolitan Executive Agency (Agem) in collaboration with Azorean representatives, serves as a hub for promoting history, tourism and leisure.

The Azores Square features a Memorial (museum), an inscription on the pavement containing the names of the nine islands, a gateway bearing the names of the Azoreans who helped found the city – such as Simão Estácio da Silveira, who led the migration of families in 1615 – and ten artistic panels, in clay with incisive bas-relief, created by Eduardo Sereno, depicting the journey and legacy of this island people through the play of natural light.

Governor Carlos Brandão emphasised that the project fills a long-standing gap in the recognition of the capital’s origins: “Today, we pay this tribute to do justice to the people who came here and helped us found our island of São Luís.”

He added: “This tribute was long overdue for the Azoreans who settled in the Desterro region and who are now represented.”

The ceremony, also attended by Raphael Aragão, President of the House of the Azores of Maranhão, was an opportunity to strengthen future institutional ties. On the occasion, Paulo Estêvão also paid tribute to all the dedication and hard work carried out over the years by Paulo Matos, founder of the House of the Azores in that northeastern region of Brazil and its Honorary President.

Paulo Estêvão assured the Government of Maranhão that the Autonomous Region is fully available and committed to strategic cooperation: “Wherever there are Houses of the Azores, we will be at the service of Maranhão; wherever our institutions are in the European Union, we will be at the service of the State of Maranhão.”

The Regional Secretary ended by extending an official invitation to Governor Carlos Brandão to visit the archipelago, assuring him that “he will always have a friend in the Azores” and that the Azorean people, renowned worldwide for their hospitality and sense of gratitude, would warmly welcome the delegation from Maranhão.

GRA/RÁDIOILHÉU