Two Azorean officials are to visit Bermuda to meet dignitaries, show support for the Azorean community here and strengthen ties on the Island.

Rodrigo Vasconcelos de Oliveira, regional secretary of the presidency for external relations, and Dr Paulo C Teves, regional director for the communities, are due to arrive this month.

During their visit they will be presenting nearly 600 books donated from the Azorean government to the Bermuda National Library and the Bermuda College library.

They will meet Premier Michael Dunkley and Governor George Fergusson and will be present at an Amigos da Casa Acores da Bermuda, Azores Day Celebration Dinner, at St Paul’s Church Hall in Paget on June 13.

Mr Oliveira took office in 2012 as regional under secretary of the presidency for external relations of the XI regional government of the Azores, with powers in the areas of European affairs, external co-operation and communities. Mr Teves took up his role in the same year.

Mr Teves told The Royal Gazette: “There is a strong historical relationship between the Azores and Bermuda. We have had a community in Bermuda since 1849 — 165 years of history.

“Our government keeps very close relationships with our diasporas.

“Azoreans in Bermuda keep close ties with the Azores — they come here, still have families here, and also help to keep our culture alive in Bermuda. These are some of the reasons we are supporting them and that is why we support the Portuguese School in Bermuda and the Vasco Da Gama.

“The books we are donating are about Azorean history, geography and literature and also about our diasporas. Everything is about Azores and authors who live in so many countries.”