The 27th World Council (Conselho Mundial das Casas dos Açores – CMCA) is convening its 27th General Assembly from October 10–12, 2025, hosted by the Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra (CANI) in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The event brings together representatives of Azorean cultural associations from across North America, Europe, and South America to renew commitments to preserving Azorean identity and to strengthen the cultural bonds uniting the Azores and its global diaspora.
Founded in 1997 in Horta, Faial, the CMCA coordinates the network of official Azorean cultural houses established throughout the world — including those in Lisbon, Toronto, Quebec, California, Hawai’i, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Bermuda, and beyond. Its mission is to promote Azorean heritage, identity, and cooperation between the Azores and communities that trace their roots to the archipelago.
This year’s assembly — the second time it has been hosted in the United States — is taking place at Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra (CANI), founded in 1980, located at 232 South Main Street, Fall River, one of the oldest and most active Portuguese-American communities in New England.
The program includes plenary sessions, working meetings, and cultural presentations, as well as participation from representatives of the Regional Government of the Azores, the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, and leaders of the Azorean diaspora.
“Hosting the World Council in Fall River is both a privilege and a powerful recognition of the deep historical and cultural connections that unite New England and the Azores,” said Francisco J. Viveiros, President of CANI.
“Our mission has always been to preserve the language, values, and traditions of our ancestors while opening new paths for future generations to engage with their heritage,” he said.
Representing the Regional Government of the Azores, the Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting diaspora initiatives.
“The Casas dos Açores [Houses of the Azores] are ambassadors of our culture and identity around the world. Their work ensures that the Azores remain present in the daily lives of those who left, and that new generations maintain a living connection to our islands,” he remarked.
Delegates attending the Fall River assembly are focusing on key themes such as youth engagement, community cooperation, cultural preservation, and transatlantic partnerships. The sessions aim to renew the Council’s collaborative strategy for the next decade, reinforcing the role of the Azorean diaspora as a bridge between cultures.
“The CMCA is more than an institutional network; it is a living expression of the Azorean spirit — resilient, global, and profoundly connected by memory and belonging,” noted Carlos Amaral, Secretary-General of the World Council.
The closing ceremony will include tributes to individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to promoting Azorean culture abroad, as well as performances by local musicians and folkloric groups celebrating the Azorean cultural traditions.
PAJ/Staff
