Summary:
Cultural Commission of Lisbon engages with Artistas Unidos amid theatre crisis.
Artistas Unidos lost their space at Teatro da Politécnica due to lease termination.
Petition aims for a permanent home for the theatre company.
Upcoming performances include “Vento Forte” by Jon Fosse at Teatro Variedades.
Concerns raised about potential relocation to A Capital in Bairro Alto.
Cultural Commission Takes Action
The Cultural, Education, Youth, and Sports Commission of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly is reaching out to the Artistas Unidos theatre company to discuss their current situation, as they have recently lost their performance space.
Urgent Need for a Permanent Home
The decision to engage with Artistas Unidos was confirmed by Mafalda Cambeta, the president of the commission, after a meeting where petitioners advocating for a permanent home for the company were heard. The company was forced to vacate the Teatro da Politécnica last July due to the termination of their lease with the University of Lisbon. Currently, they remain without a dedicated theatre space.
The petition, signed by fans and supporters, aims to ensure the municipal government secures a dignified space for the company, which has been producing high-quality work since its founding in 1995 by Jorge Silva Melo.
Recent Developments and Performances
After leaving the Teatro da Politécnica, Artistas Unidos began their new season last month with a performance of “Búfalos” by Pau Miró at the Centro Cultural de Belém. They are also set to premiere “Vento Forte” by Jon Fosse, the 2023 Nobel Laureate in Literature, at Teatro Variedades later this November, where they will stay until December 22.
Ongoing Challenges and Concerns
During the meeting, members of the Municipal Assembly raised questions about the future of Artistas Unidos and the possibility of relocating to the A Capital space in Bairro Alto, which has been unoccupied since they were evicted in 2002. Concerns were voiced regarding the proposed site, especially in light of plans for affordable housing developments in the area.
The urgency of finding a permanent venue for Artistas Unidos is critical, as they have ongoing commitments under a financing contract with the Direção-Geral das Artes. The assembly had previously urged the municipal government to take immediate action to support the company's continued presence in Lisbon.
Despite the challenges, the Artistas Unidos remain committed to their artistic endeavors and are seeking a solution that ensures their stability and success in the local cultural landscape.
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