The gates of Quinta Atalaia in Seixal, where the annual Festa do Avante! is held, open today at 6:00 PM, precisely at the time when Paulo Raimundo will visit the Central Space which hosts the main exhibits and political debates of the communist event.
This year’s main exhibition at Festa do Avante! is titled “Defend the Rights, Fulfill the Constitution, Portugal with a Future” and is divided into eight areas covering labor rights, health, education, culture, and housing.
The exhibition aims to contrast the current situation in each of these areas with “what is desirable and possible,” according to the event’s program.
On Saturday, the secretary-general of the PCP will participate in a solidarity event for Palestine at the international space at 5:40 PM, while António Filipe will visit the Biennial of Plastic Arts earlier in the afternoon.
Sunday will feature the traditional closing rally, marking the PCP’s ‘rentrée,’ with a speech from Paulo Raimundo and addresses by Manuel Rodrigues, director of the Avante newspaper, and Gonçalo Lopes, a leader of the Portuguese Communist Youth (JCP).
Last week, during a visit to the Festa do Avante! grounds, Paulo Raimundo noted that he had yet to prepare his speech for the closing rally but emphasized that it would address “what needs to be answered in people’s lives, in salaries, pensions, the drama of accessing the NHS,” as well as housing, labor legislation, and local elections.
“We will also not ignore the drama we faced in recent days — and hope does not expand again — which are the fires and the responses needed,” he stated.
This year, Festa do Avante! will focus on peace and solidarity with Palestine and will feature artists including A Garota Não, Paulo de Carvalho, Vitorino, Stereossauro, Capicua, and Gisela João.
