Established in 2017 by Lusa news agency photojournalist António Cotrim, the “Uma Imagem Solidária” initiative brings together photojournalists and photographers in a solidarity action. It involves donating a photograph which the public can acquire in exchange for a minimum donation of 20 euros, benefiting an association.
This year, the initiative features 70 solidarity photographs.
The 8th edition again receives the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, who this year highlights solidarity actions in favor of animals, “who bring life to the lives of many Portuguese people.”
“Societies are also judged by how they treat those [animals] who daily help mitigate loneliness, sadness, widowhood, disappointments, and sorrows,” states Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in a short video supporting the initiative, in which he also emphasizes the role of photographers.
Gaticão – Associação dos Amigos dos Animais Abandonados, a non-profit organization, rescues abandoned animals in the municipality of Vagos, Aveiro. Currently, it hosts around 200 animals, including dogs and cats, seeking to guide them toward responsible adoption.
The association was founded over 20 years ago, in October 2004, by a group of volunteers dedicated to protecting and rescuing animals.
This edition of the initiative is supported by Lusa news agency, Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações, Dell Technologies, Colorfoto, FinePrint, TunetRadio, Guache Condomínios, Logotexto, Visapress, Rodoviária Internacional e Nacional, and Seriarte – Sociedade de Serigrafia.
The Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) is also participating, having contributed some photographs. The pet product brand Purina is also sponsoring this edition.
The event will take place at 18:00 at the Fundação Portuguesa das Comunicações in Lisbon and will feature actor Isaac Alfaiate as the patron.
Although the initiative is scheduled for three days, it may conclude today if all the photographs are exchanged for donations on this first day.
Last year, the donation was directed to the Casa do Artista.
