Historical and Documentary Center for Autonomy without opening date

The Regional Government has not yet set a date for the opening of the museum and exhibition project of the Historical and Documentary Center for Autonomy, formerly known as House of Autonomy.According to an official source from the Presidency of the Government, the entity that is now responsible for the Center, "the opening of the museum and exhibition project will certainly not happen this year". The plan is for the museum and exhibition project to be open after the rehabilitation of the residential area and offices, which is planned for "this year", says the Presidency."The rehabilitation of the residential area of Conceição Palace, which includes several working spaces, is currently being concluded, and there is a strong expectation that all this work will be completed by the end of the year," according to the same source.But, "as far as the museum and documental part is concerned, this is still a work in progress, and in the next few weeks the necessary tenders will be launched for contracting the last services deemed necessary to finalize the project," explains the official source from the Presidency.The Presidency of the Regional Government assures that the goal "is to conclude the project and present it to the community", justifying the delay with the change of the Ministry of Culture (previously responsible for the project) and the change of the project itself to the Presidency's responsibility."This year, there was a change in the Ministry of Culture, one which forced a new analysis to the framework of the whole project. Besides, in the new government organization, the project is now under the presidency's responsibility," the source explains, guaranteeing, however, that "these changes have not prevented the planned work from moving forward".The Presidency, through the same official source, also recalls that the Historical and Documentary Center for Autonomy is based on three major areas: the exhibition, the Conceição Palace, and a third area that concerns the documentary area. As far as Conceição Palace is concerned, "the Azorean Government's option was to open its different areas as they were completed. At this stage, events are already taking place regularly in the Upper and Lower Choir, and the Government Council meets every two weeks - when held on São Miguel - at the Conceição Palace".The former Regional Secretary of Culture, Susete Amaro, had stated that the Center should start operating this year, with the exhibition project being finished in June, which did not happen.