Summary:
Minister of Culture Dalila Rodrigues to face urgent parliamentary hearing on the dismissal of CCB president Francisca Carneiro Fernandes.
The hearing was prompted by requests from the Socialist Party (PS) and Left Bloc (BE), following the controversial dismissal.
Nuno Vassallo e Silva has been appointed as the new president of the CCB, raising concerns about the future direction of the institution.
A petition demanding explanations for the dismissal has gathered around 1900 signatures from notable cultural figures.
The dismissal has drawn international reactions, with the European Theater Union expressing surprise at the sudden change.
Urgent Hearing in Parliament
The Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, is set to be heard in parliament regarding the dismissal of Francisca Carneiro Fernandes, the former president of the Fundação Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB). This follows the approval of requests from the Socialist Party (PS) and the Left Bloc (BE) during a recent parliamentary session.
According to an official source, the requests were approved by the Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth, and Sports, with support from PS, BE, Chega, and Iniciativa Liberal, while the Social Democratic Party (PSD) voted against it. The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) and Livre were absent during the vote.
Context of the Dismissal
The urgency of the hearing arises after the Ministry of Culture announced the dismissal of Francisca Carneiro Fernandes last Friday, appointing Nuno Vassallo e Silva as her successor. This dismissal comes just before the completion of her first year in office, a position she was appointed to by the previous Minister of Culture, Pedro Adão e Silva.
The PS argues that the hearing aims to clarify the new direction the CCB will take, emphasizing the institution's recent positive contributions to the cultural sector and its international projection, particularly through the projects such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC/CCB).
The BE has also expressed concerns regarding the abrupt and controversial dismissals that have characterized Dalila Rodrigues's tenure, stressing that these changes could jeopardize important cultural policies and projects, including those at the CCB.
Reactions and Petitions
In response to the dismissal, the CCB Workers' Committee expressed regret, highlighting the essential dialogue and restructuring initiated by Fernandes during her term. Additionally, a petition demanding explanations for her dismissal has gained traction, amassing around 1900 signatures from prominent figures in the cultural sector.
The dismissal has drawn international attention, with the European Theater Union (UTE) reacting in surprise, praising Fernandes's vital role in uniting diverse theatrical traditions.
As the situation unfolds, the parliamentary hearing is poised to shed light on the future of the CCB and the implications of these recent changes in Portugal's cultural landscape.
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