The Boston Portuguese Festival and the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society are hosting its 9th Annual Azorean Whale Boat Regatta taking place at the MIT Pierce Boathouse, Cambridge, MA, on Sunday, June 15, starting at 12:00pm.

One of the most celebrated events of the Boston Portuguese Festival, the annual regatta takes place in the Charles River celebrating the common seafaring heritage of New Englanders and the people of the Azores.

The event offers the public the opportunity to learn more about Azorean-Portuguese immigrant experience and its ties with the New England whaling industry by recognizing the historical contributions of Azorean whaleboat builders and sailors to the whaling industry in the United States.

In addition to the races, there will be a whaleboat sailing demonstration, tours on the boats, an award ceremony and an opportunity to learn about the rich oral history behind whaling.

Established in 1997, the Azorean Maritime Heritage Society maintains the Azorean Whaleman Gallery in the New Bedford Whaling Museum with the mission “to promote Azorean culture and Azorean whaling heritage by raising awareness and pride within the Azorean –American community of New England.”

The Boston Portuguese Festival aims at contributing to the dissemination of the Portuguese culture and heritage in the capital city of Massachusetts. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information visit >> Boston Portuguese Festival >>

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General Information on the Azores – Official Name: Autonomous Region of the Azores; Number of Islands: 9 main islands; Capital: Ponta Delgada; Area: 2314 km2; Population: 241,700 inhabitants (2004); Population density: 106 inhabitants/km²; GDP/inhabitant: 17 800€ (2005); Climate: humid, maritime sub-tropical;Economic activities: agriculture, fisheries and tourism; Official language: Portuguese; Status: Portuguese Autonomous Region, EU Outermost Region (OR);

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