Lisbon's Cinema Império Decision Sparks Controversy: Will the City Reverse Course?
Time Out Lisboa7 months ago
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Lisbon's Cinema Império Decision Sparks Controversy: Will the City Reverse Course?

Culture
lisbon
cinema
culturalheritage
publicprotest
citycouncil
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Summary:

  • Lisbon City Council reconsiders the controversial decision to convert Cinema Império from cultural to religious use.

  • The proposal for rectification aims to maintain the cultural designation of the cinema while allowing some construction.

  • Public backlash includes a petition with over 10,000 signatures calling for the preservation of the cinema.

  • The council assures that the cinema's preservation is secure amidst ongoing protests.

  • Proposed changes include modifications to the facade and an increase of 718 square meters in floor space.

Lisbon City Council Reconsiders Cinema Império Decision

The recent decision to transform Cinema Império from a cultural venue to a religious one has ignited significant public backlash. Initially approved during the Lisbon City Council (CML) meeting on December 4, the shift has led to widespread protests and calls for the council to reconsider.

Cinema Império Image Credit: João Carvalho - Cinema Império

In the upcoming council meeting on December 18, one of the proposals on the agenda is the "rectification of the decision" regarding the historic cinema located on Avenida Almirante Reis. According to the newspaper Público, the new proposal aims to maintain the authorization for construction, but it will only involve the conditional approval of the architectural project without altering the cultural usage designation of the cinema.

This reconsideration comes after a strong wave of dissent emerged following the initial decision. Notably, a petition launched by the Portuguese Academy of Cinema garnered over 10,000 signatures within days, highlighting the public's commitment to preserving the cinema's cultural heritage. In response to the criticism, the city council reassured that the cinema's preservation is secure, stating that the authorized works primarily aim to "legalize adaptations and expansions" already made to the building.

The approved modifications include changes to the facade and the stage area, which will be expanded to create additional training and accommodation spaces, adding a total of 718 square meters to the floor area. One of the main concerns raised in the Academy's petition was the lack of clarity regarding heritage preservation.

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