The Prime Minister will be in Paris on Wednesday, at UNESCO headquarters, to participate in the inauguration session of the work “Substratum”, by artist Vhils, a 31-meter-long mural in honor of the work of this international organization.
According to a note from António Costa’s office, the project of donation, by the Portuguese State, of a work of art to the UNESCO collection dates back to a visit made, in 2019, by the Portuguese Prime Minister to the headquarters of this international organization.
A visit that António Costa made then on the occasion of the proclamation of the World Day of the Portuguese Language “and the fair recognition, by UNESCO, of the relevance of the Portuguese language on a global scale”.
According to the same note, “this donation, in the form of an artistic intervention by Vhils on one of the exterior walls of the UNESCO headquarters building, aims to enhance national contemporary creation and contribute to the promotion of Portuguese culture worldwide”.
The work “Substratum”, by the artist Vhils [Alexandre Farto], is intended as a tribute to UNESCO’s work in protecting the world heritage of humanity.
António Costa is expected to arrive at UNESCO headquarters at 19:15 local time (one hour more than in Lisbon), after which he will have a one-on-one meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, before the inauguration of the work.
Speeches by the Director-General of UNESCO, Vhils and António Costa are planned.
