The event ‘São Bento em Família’ featured performances by a group of Pauliteiros de Miranda, a Cante Alentejano group, and a short concert by the singer Tony Carreira.
The doors opened at 09:00, and upon arrival, each person received a red carnation. Enthusiastic fans of Tony Carreira, identified by scarves reading “Official Fan,” arrived early to secure a front-row spot on the improvised stage on the steps at the back of the São Bento Palace.
The Prime Minister arrived at the official residence before 11:00, accompanied by his wife, and attended all the performances from within the audience.
During Tony Carreira’s concert, Luís Montenegro ascended the stairs to join the artist, with whom he sang a few verses of the song “Sonhos de menino,” recreating a duet they had performed years ago on a television show.
Speaking to journalists upon arriving at São Bento, the head of government humorously remarked that he was not expecting a new duet: “I hope not, for the sake of the spectators, no such collaborations are required.”
In reference to the song’s lyrics, Luís Montenegro expressed his “dream of continuing the work begun and making the lives of the Portuguese people better in the future, without wasting the path paved so far.”
The Prime Minister justified the choice of performers, stating they were “strongly linked to the country’s identity” and emphasized it was “a cross-sectional program.” He dismissed criticisms regarding the postponement of the April 25 celebrations, highlighting the shared commemoration with Labor Day, noting that “the two have much connection.”
Luís Montenegro also denied that this initiative, occurring days before the official start of the election campaign, could be perceived in that context.
“We are not conducting any campaign. Now, the country has institutions, the country has a heritage that is not mine, it belongs to everyone, and therefore, it is open to all,” he indicated, noting that on April 25, the gardens of the official residence were open for visits, attended by “about 1,500 people.”
Also speaking to the press, Tony Carreira stated that “for a kid coming from a lost village in Beira, as the song says, it was an honor to be here, in such a beautiful place, on such a beautiful sunny day, with a fantastic audience.”
When asked about the political color of those who invited him, the artist said he was there “to sing, nothing more.”
“If it had been the previous government, it would have been exactly the same,” he indicated, pointing out that he has performed “in countless places, even at rallies.”
Tony Carreira also remarked that culture “has been the poor relation of all governments” and “is not sufficiently valued.”
The space capacity was limited to 2,000 people for safety reasons, but only a few hundred people of all ages visited the São Bento Palace this morning.
At the end of the concert, while the Prime Minister greeted visitors in the garden, he was approached by two young women who chanted slogans for the end of fossil fuel reliance. The interaction, which occurred as journalists interviewed Tony Carreira, lasted only a few seconds before the young women were escorted out of the area.
