“The city council can establish a network among all the city’s facilities and existing structures, notably theater companies, galleries, and artists from various cultural sectors. If we can work as a network, I think it would be very interesting,” stated the social-democrat in comments to Lusa.
The former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs noted that if people know how to work in a network, the outcome will be much better, perhaps with the same effort.
During a visit to the Autumn Festival in Serralves, Pedro Duarte mentioned that another of his cultural objectives is to promote cultural creation by establishing creative spaces.
“The city needs this. We must create conditions for these spaces of creation and exhibition of artists’ works to flourish in the city,” he emphasized.
Saying that the municipality, currently led by independent Rui Moreira, has the responsibility to support these spaces, the candidate explained that in these places, for example, musicians can perform concerts, painters can exhibit their works, and actors can stage plays.
The former Minister of Parliamentary Affairs also highlighted the importance of creating new audiences, suggesting that his plan involves working with schools.
“I have no hesitation in saying that a child who has access to culture during their schooling will become much more realized as a citizen,” he opined.
Noting that education is more than the usual curriculum, Pedro Duarte emphasized that in today’s society, it’s possible to combat inequalities by ensuring all children have access to culture.
Despite considering the current cultural dynamic in the city as “clearly positive,” Pedro Duarte stated that this doesn’t mean there isn’t much more to be done.
In his opinion, culture must be at the core of the program, as the foundation of everything else, which is why he intends, if elected, to take on the Culture portfolio, similar to what Rui Moreira has done.
“My proposal is to strengthen this cultural component and I have already committed to taking on the Culture portfolio because I want to give a transversal character to cultural policies,” he concluded.
Competing for the Porto City Council are Manuel Pizarro (PS), Diana Ferreira (CDU – PCP/PEV coalition), Nuno Cardoso (Porto Primeiro – NC/PPM alliance), Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL coalition), Sérgio Aires (BE), current vice-president Filipe Araújo (Fazer à Porto – independent), Guilherme Alexandre Jorge (Volt), Hélder Sousa (Livre), Miguel Corte-Real (Chega), Frederico Duarte Carvalho (ADN), Maria Amélia Costa (PTP) and Luís Tinoco Azevedo (PLS).
The current executive consists of a majority of six elected members from Rui Moreira’s movement and one independent councilor, with the remaining two elected from the PS, two from the PSD, one from the CDU, and one from the BE.
The local elections are scheduled for October 12.
