The Board of Directors of the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB) announced that an international ‘call’ is underway to select and recruit the new Directorate of Performing Arts, expected to conclude in November. Until then, the executive and programming structure will handle all related matters.
This statement was made following news of Aida Tavares being “formally dismissed,” which reportedly occurred on Tuesday when she received a termination letter from the president of the CCB Foundation, Nuno Vassallo e Silva, in the presence of board member Madalena Reis and the human resources director.
Aida Tavares confirmed the decision was unilateral from the administration, without her agreement or justification, and expressed surprise due to prior assurances from the Board’s President.
A month ago, on June 4, the CCB announced contests for the Artistic Director of Performing Arts and the Curator of the MAC/CCB Architecture Center, the latter position being voluntarily vacated by Mariana Pestana.
The announcement followed Aida Tavares stating to newspaper Expresso that she was dismissed by phone by Nuno Vassallo e Silva and Madalena Reis at 17:00, coinciding with the minister of culture Dalila Rodrigues’ impending departure from the government.
Dalila Rodrigues’ office denied any involvement in CCB’s process later that day.
Nuno Vassallo e Silva informed Público on the same day that Aida Tavares was not fired; instead, a new competition for her role was announced, with plans to discuss her future at the CCB.
When contacted, Aida Tavares declined to comment on whether she would reapply for her post.
The Workers’ Commission (CT) of the CCB had tendered a collective resignation, citing a loss of institutional trust culminating in Aida Tavares’ removal, thereby halting further dialogue.
At the end of 2023, Francisca Carneiro Fernandes was appointed CCB’s Board President and later replaced. Two organizational units were formed: Performing Arts and Thought, and MAC/CCB. Aida Tavares became the Artistic Director in December 2023 through direct hiring.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, headed by Margarida Balseiro Lopes, claimed lack of prior knowledge regarding Tavares’ termination, emphasizing it was solely within the Board’s purview.
Aida Tavares took office on December 15, 2023, at Francisca Carneiro Fernandes’ invitation, targeting a strategic phase for the institution.
Nuno Vasallo e Silva replaced Fernades as CCB’s President; this rights realignment was attributed to the need for new directions.
Former minister Dalila Rodrigues, testifying before parliament in December, accused her predecessor, Pedro Adão e Silva, of executing a “power grab” at CCB.
This sparked parliamentary interest leading to multiple hearings involving CCB-related figures.
Francisca Carneiro Fernandes refuted that Aida Tavares’ appointment was Adão e Silva’s imposition.
Previous president Elísio Summavielle mentioned that Adão e Silva recommended Aida Tavares, contributing to his decision to leave CCB.
Fernandes defended the essentiality of a professional Artistic Director for any performance arts organization, noting its absence at the CCB.
Elísio Summavielle declined further comments regarding Tavares’ case, deferring to statements by board member Madalena Reis.
With Nuno Vasallo e Silva at the helm and Madalena Reis the sole remaining board member after Delfim Sardo’s departure, Reis had previously opposed Tavares’ hiring, arguing for continuity.
Pedro Adão e Silva last appeared in parliament, countering accusations of a “power grab” by Dalila Rodrigues, who he claimed aimed to justify an unasserted termination and conceal an ineffective cultural mandate.
He criticized Rodrigues’ assertions as projecting her political biases, noting appointments favorable to PSD, unlike his era.
