Outrage in Europe: Dismissal of CCB President Sparks Calls for Transparency

Growing Outcry Over CCB President's Dismissal

The dismissal of Francisca Carneiro Fernandes from her position as president of the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) has ignited significant backlash from leading organizations in the European performing arts sector. In an open letter, the Union des Théâtres de l’Europe (UTE) and Pearle, the European federation for music and performing arts organizations, expressed their surprise at the lack of justification for her removal, which they deem unjustified given her recognized excellence as a cultural manager.

The UTE highlighted Carneiro Fernandes's remarkable ability to gather talent and her vital contributions to the organization while representing Teatro Nacional São João. They criticized the Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, for announcing the dismissal without providing any substantial reasoning. The decision was made just before the presentation of strategic objectives for 2025/2027, raising further questions about the motivations behind the dismissal.

In a similar vein, Pearle has called for transparency regarding the decision, arguing that the government's actions could undermine the cultural sector in Portugal. They emphasized Carneiro Fernandes's significant role in establishing a collaborative association in the performing arts and her contributions to the Cultural Professionals Statute in Portugal.

Political Reactions

The Socialist Party (PS) has demanded urgent explanations from the Minister of Culture regarding the future direction of the CCB and the government's cultural policies. This request will be voted on in the parliamentary Culture Commission. The PS acknowledged the positive impact of Carneiro Fernandes's leadership and expressed concerns about the implications of her dismissal for the cultural landscape in Portugal.

Following the announcement, a public petition emerged, demanding clarification from the Minister and criticizing the vague rationale of a 'new direction' for the CCB. The petition has garnered support from numerous theaters across Europe and has already collected over 1500 signatures.

Concerns from the Arts Community

The surprise dismissal has raised alarms among cultural leaders. Serge Rangoni, director of the Théâtre de Liège in Belgium, voiced his concerns about the implications of losing a key partner in the Prospero network, which focuses on supporting young artists. He noted that the CCB under Carneiro Fernandes was integral to integrating this platform into their operations.

As the CCB prepares to welcome its new president, Nuno Vassallo e Silva, in January, the arts community remains on edge regarding the future of Portugal’s cultural policies and the potential loss of momentum in the performing arts sector.