AZORES IN THE WORLD
The book Azores in the World, authored by us, was published in 2017 under the Azorean imprint Letras Lavadas. Its national launch took place on March 27, during the commemorative session marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Casa dos Açores in Lisbon, the pioneering institution of its kind. Its regional presentation followed on May 17, in Ponta Delgada, during the festivities of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. Its international launch occurred on September 15, at the City Hall of Brampton, Canada, during the General Assembly commemorating the 20th anniversary of the World Council of Casas dos Açores.
In truth, this is an Azorean work of collective authorship. It belongs as much to the anonymous emigrant who helps prepare the Holy Spirit função at any Casa dos Açores across the Atlantic as it does to the President of the Portuguese Republic, who greatly honored us by contributing its distinguished Preface.
In the generous words of Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa:
“This work possesses unquestionable merits. The first is that it helps us better understand the worldwide projection of that true earthly paradise known as the Azores. The second is that it pays tribute to the saga of Azoreans throughout the world, remarkable ambassadors of their beloved homeland and of Portugal.”
Other distinguished public figures likewise honored this volume with institutional messages, including the two longest-serving former Presidents of the Government of the Azores.
João Bosco Mota Amaral (1976–1995) wrote that “the Azorean communities scattered throughout the world, without overlooking those living in other parts of Portugal, are conclusive proof of the identity of the Azorean people, the very reason for their dignity and the respect they deserve.”
Carlos César (1996–2012) observed that “through the influence they have exercised and continue to exercise, our communities abroad—including generations already born in their countries of residence—serve as genuine platforms for communicating and promoting the Azores.”
The book also includes messages from the then President of the Government of the Azores, Vasco Cordeiro, and the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Luís Carneiro, together with contributions from the Ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay, accredited in Lisbon, thus representing the host societies of our historic diaspora.
This is a work that views Azorean emigration through the integrated perspective of its most emblematic institutions—the Casas dos Açores.
In 2017, there were fifteen Azorean “embassies” throughout the world: five in Brazil, three in Portugal, three in Canada, two in the United States, one in Uruguay, and one in Bermuda.
In Brazil: the Casa dos Açores of Rio de Janeiro (1952); the Casa dos Açores of São Paulo (1980); the Casa dos Açores of Bahia, in Salvador (1980); the Casa dos Açores of Santa Catarina, in Florianópolis (1999); and the Casa dos Açores of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Gravataí (2003).
In Portugal: the Casa dos Açores in Lisbon (1927); the Casa dos Açores of the North, in Porto (1980); and the Casa dos Açores of the Algarve, in Faro (1993).
In Canada: the Casa dos Açores of Quebec, in Montreal (1978); the Casa dos Açores of Ontario, in Toronto (1985); and the Casa dos Açores of Winnipeg, Manitoba (1992).
In the United States: the Casa dos Açores of Hilmar, California (1977); and the Casa dos Açores of New England, in Fall River (1982).
Completing that first global network were the Casa dos Açores of Uruguay, in San Carlos (2011), and the Casa dos Açores of Bermuda, in Hamilton (2015).
Following the publication of Azores in the World, additional Casas dos Açores were formally established: Maranhão, in São Luís (2019); Madeira, in Funchal (2019); Espírito Santo, in Apiacá (2022); the Central Region of Portugal, in Coimbra (2024); and Minas Gerais, in Belo Horizonte (2025).
New Casas dos Açores are already on the horizon: one in the Algarve Region, replacing the institution that ceased operations in 2019, and another in the Hawaiian Islands, fulfilling a long-deferred dream that dates back to the very first regional governments.
Each of these associations proudly and steadfastly raises the flag of the Azores within its host society.
Because of their significance and the work they carry out, the Casas dos Açores are the houses of saudade, the embassies of the diaspora, and the sanctuaries of Azorean identity.
They are the face of the Azores within our communities and the showcase of those communities within the societies that have welcomed them.
Through this book, they have become better known, more fully appreciated, and more deeply understood.
José Andrade is the current Director for Communities for the Government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores