The Instituto Açoriano de Cultura (IAC) has announced that it is organizing, during the months of February and March, the 17th edition of its Study Weeks, under the theme “(E/I)Migrations – Territories in Transit, Identities in Construction.” This cycle proposes a space for debate, reflection, and the development of critical thought on contemporary migratory phenomena — a subject of particular relevance in the global, glocal, and digital context of our time.

Since its founding on May 23, 1955, the IAC has affirmed its mission of thinking about the Azores in the world and the world from the Azores, promoting critical thought, dialogue among fields of knowledge, and cultural participation. The Study Weeks, initiated in 1961, are among the institution’s most emblematic projects, marking 6 decades of reflection on fundamental questions of society, culture, and Azorean identity.

After the resumption of the format in 2021 and 2022 — dedicated respectively to Autonomy and to the Sea — the 2026 edition proposes a plural and decentralized approach to the migratory phenomenon, distributed across three islands of the archipelago: on Terceira, on February 21, a panel dedicated to Immigration will take place; on São Miguel, on February 28, the panel will focus on Emigration; and on Faial, on March 7, the panel will be devoted to Migration.

The program will bring together academics, researchers, technical experts, and representatives of institutions who will analyze the challenges and opportunities of migration from multiple perspectives. Among the key themes highlighted are migration legislation, the reception and integration of migrants, interculturality and cultural diversity, associational life and social participation, as well as demographic and population mobility dynamics.

The 17th edition of the Study Weeks is supported by the Governo dos Açores, through the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, via the Regional Directorate for Communities, as well as by SATA Air Açores. Partner institutions also include the Câmara Municipal de Angra do Heroísmo, the Museu Carlos Machado, and the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Regional João José da Graça.

The coordination of the Study Weeks is entrusted to Rogério Sousa, Miguel Costa, and Paulo Barcelos, working in collaboration with scholars and researchers from various universities. The event’s communications strategy will include dedicated coordination to ensure articulation between institutional formats and diverse audiences.

From Atlântico Expresso, Natalino Viveiros-director