Mr. Speaker, the Portuguese community, which comprises 30% of my riding of Davenport, loves a good party. This past weekend was no exception.
On Sunday, I was proud to take part in the opening ceremony of the Azorean cultural week that will see week-long activities celebrating the culture and life of the nine Azores islands, known for their natural beauty, volcanos, and whaling; religious festivals, such as the Festa do Senhor Santa Cristo, and their writers, like Raul Brandão and José Dias de Melo, among many others.
I also took part in two Festa de São Martinho, at Casa da Madeira and Casa das Beiras, and was not able to make it to a third one at Arsenal do Minho. The Festa de São Martinho is ultimately a celebration of the harvest as symbolized by the introduction of new wine and chestnuts, reminding us to appreciate and be grateful for all we are blessed to have in our lives.
I want to thank the organizers of these festivals. Their work not only enriches the social and cultural fabric of this great country but reminds us that we are a stronger nation because of it.