Listen to the full meeting
On August 31, 2026, the City of Fall River held a ceremonial event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Portas da Cidade (Gates of the City) monument on Ponta Delgada Boulevard. The celebration aligned with several major milestones, including the 50th anniversary of political autonomy for the Azores and Madeira and the 40th anniversary of the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England. The ceremony featured national anthems and the raising of the flags of the United States, Portugal, Fall River, and Ponta Delgada, accompanied by the Fall River Police Department Honor Guard, as well as a moment of silence for deceased committee members Raul Benevides, Liberal Silva, Alfredo Alves, and Fernando Garcia.
Keynote addresses and greetings were delivered by local and international dignitaries, including Fall River Mayor Paul E. Coogan, Ponta Delgada Municipal Council Vice President Dr. Pedro Furtado, Massachusetts State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, former Fall River Mayor Edward Lambert, President of the Regional Government of the Azores Dr. José Manuel Bolieiro, and former President of Portugal Professor Dr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Speakers reflected on the sister-city partnership established in 1978, the 2006 construction of the monument using authentic Azorean basalt stone, and the deep cultural, historic, and economic connections linking Fall River with the Azores and Portugal.
The event concluded with formal recognitions of visiting diplomats, state legislators, members of the Portas da Cidade Advisory Committee, and cultural organizations including the Prince Henry Society and Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra.
Topics discussed
- 2:24 · Remarks by Professor Dr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Former President of Portugal
Former President Rebelo de Sousa delivered an address on the symbolic importance of the gates representing openness, historical friendship, and gratitude to the Portuguese-American diaspora. - 2:38 · Remarks by Mayor Paul E. Coogan
Mayor Coogan welcomed attendees, celebrated two decades of the Gates of the City landmark, and praised the enduring ties between Fall River and Ponta Delgada. - 2:38 · Remarks by Dr. Pedro Furtado, Vice President of the Municipal Council of Ponta Delgada
Dr. Furtado discussed the historical sister-city relationship formalized in 1978, the history of the original 1783 gates in Ponta Delgada, and current demographic and economic growth in the Azores. - 3:26 · Opening Remarks and Moment of Silence
Opening remarks highlighting the 20th anniversary of the Portas da Cidade, followed by a moment of silence honoring deceased committee members Raul Benevides, Liberal Silva, Alfredo Alves, and Fernando Garcia. - 4:47 · National Anthems and Flag Raising Ceremony
The raising of the national and municipal flags of Portugal, Ponta Delgada, the United States, and Fall River accompanied by the Fall River Police Department Honor Guard. - 14:49 · Dignitary Recognitions and Closing Remarks
Formal recognition of attending diplomats, advisory committee members, state representatives, and cultural organizations, along with concluding remarks. - 23:35 · Remarks by State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues
Senator Rodrigues spoke on behalf of the Massachusetts state legislative delegation, reflecting on the 20-year history of the monument and the bilateral relationship with Portugal and the Azores. - 34:21 · Remarks by Dr. José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores
President Bolieiro reflected on the cultural identity, immigration history, and deep shared roots linking Azoreans with the United States and Fall River. - 37:49 · Historical Perspective by Former Mayor Edward Lambert
Former Mayor Lambert recounted the origins of the replica monument project initiated with former Ponta Delgada Mayor Berta Cabral and the construction efforts by local committee leaders.