Scheduled for June 10, the play “Amor é um fogo que arde sem se ver” had its last performance canceled after actor Adérito Lopes was “violently” assaulted outside the A Barraca theater company in Lisbon.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. as several actors were arriving at the Cinearte Theater in Largo de Santos, where they encountered “a group of neo-Nazis with posters and programs” displaying xenophobic slogans, who began provoking one of the actresses.
“Meanwhile, other actors were arriving. Two were provoked, and a third was violently attacked, resulting in an eye injury and a severe cut on his face,” explained director Maria do Céu Guerra, noting that Adérito Lopes required hospital treatment after receiving assistance from firefighters.
The 82-year-old actress described the group as consisting of about 30 individuals who started by harassing an actress “who was wearing headphones and did not hear what they said.”
Maria do Céu Guerra recalled the 30th anniversary of the neo-Nazi attack that killed Alcindo Monteiro, lamenting, “Thirty years later, this country still hasn’t found a way to defend itself from the Nazis.”
“It’s terrible. The entire cast, 14 actors, fears leaving the theater and wants to speak out, to express their feelings about this and the protection they deserve,” the actress stated, highlighting their vulnerability.
According to Maria do Céu Guerra, A Barraca symbolizes peace, though she expressed uncertainty about how others perceive it.
PSP Detains Suspect: A 20-year-old Man
The Public Security Police (PSP) reported responding to the location around 8:15 p.m. due to “reports of assaults,” contacting a 45-year-old man who claimed that “upon exiting his vehicle, he was attacked by an individual.”
Based on the descriptions of the alleged suspect provided by the victim and a friend, PSP conducted searches in adjacent streets to Largo de Santos, enabling them to locate and intercept “a 20-year-old man suspected of being the attacker,” according to a police source.
PSP identified the individuals involved in this case—the suspect, victim, and witness—and will report all findings to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Reactions from Politics to the Cultural Sector
Reactions to the assault quickly surfaced, spanning politics and the cultural sector. In a post on social media platform X, communist António Filipe expressed regret over the incident, writing, “Total solidarity with Adérito Lopes, actor of A Barraca theater attacked by neo-Nazis. It is urgent to end the impunity of these criminal associations (those that the Government erased from the Internal Security Report).”
Solidariedade total com Adérito Lopes, ator do teatro “A Barraca” agredido por neonazis. É urgente acabar com a impunidade destas associações criminosas (as tais que o Governo apagou do Relatório de Segurança Interna).
— Antonio Filipe (@AntonioFilipe) June 10, 2025
The coordinator of the Left Bloc, Mariana Mortágua, also used social media to comment, stating, “The neo-fascists attack books, theater, and those who create culture because they feel they can. The PSD Government removed the threat of the far-right from the internal security report. It poses the greatest risk to our democracy. Solidarity with the A Barraca theater. We must fight.”
Os neofascistas atacam os livros, o teatro e quem faz a cultura. Fazem-no porque acham que podem. O Governo do PSD retirou do relatório de segurança interna a ameaça da extrema direita. É o maior risco à nossa democracia. Solidariedade com o teatro d’A Barraca. Vamos à luta
— mariana mortágua (@MRMortagua) June 10, 2025
On Wednesday, Isabel Moreira also addressed the situation on social media, tagging the official account of the prime minister and questioning: “Luís Montenegro, what are the government’s priorities in terms of security and education policies? Announcing mega operations against immigrants and abandoning citizenship education as a mandatory subject? And wake up?”
@LMontenegro_PT , quais as prioridades do governo em matéria de política de segurança e de educação? Anunciar mega operações contra imigrantes e desistir da educação para a cidadania como disciplina obrigatória? E acordar? https://t.co/s9MulkrqWw
— Isabel Moreira (@IsabelLMMoreira) June 11, 2025
Rui Tavares, the spokesperson for Livre, also noted the incident on social media X. “The assault on actor Adérito Lopes deserves the strongest condemnation and an investigation to hold those responsible accountable. It’s unacceptable that a play is canceled because of a neo-fascist group. It’s the result of a lack of clarity in rejecting hate speech,” he wrote.
A agressão de que foi alvo o ator Adérito Lopes merece a mais veemente condenação, e uma investigação que castigue os responsáveis. É inaceitável que uma peça seja cancelada por causa de um grupo neofascista. É o resultado de não haver clareza na rejeição do discurso de ódio.
— rui tavares (@ruitavares) June 10, 2025
The attack was also condemned within the cultural sector. Actress Luísa Ortigoso posted on Instagram: “The violence of cowards. On the day marking 30 years since the murder of Alcindo Monteiro. All solidarity with Adérito Lopes and A Barraca.”
Actress Ângela Pinto also responded: “After all, those spreading horror and insecurity are far-right creatures…” she began, adding hashtags: “they shall not pass”; “fascism never again”; “peace”; “democracy.”
Atriz Ângela Pinto manifesta-se após ator Adérito Lopes ser agredido à porta de teatro.
Notícias ao Minuto | 06:26 – 11/06/2025
