The Festival of Cultures held today in Praça da Alegria, Bonfim, exemplified the type of city the Left Bloc envisions for Porto, according to the party’s municipal candidate.
“This is the city we want: a diverse, open, tolerant city that respects everyone who wishes to live here and, above all, has the capacity to welcome these essential people, not only for their work but also for the cultural enrichment they bring,” stated Sérgio Aires.
In Praça da Alegria, amid light rain, the venue was filled with stalls selling fruits, crafts, books, hot food, and sweets, operated by vendors from various countries including Portugal, Colombia, Brazil, Morocco, Palestine, Ukraine, Bangladesh, and Angola.
“We know the current political climate is challenging, with a wave of hatred filling our cities, but we also know it is not permanent. We strive to contribute to the resilience against this hatred,” declared Marisa Matias, who represented the party’s national leadership in Porto after participating in campaigns in Lisbon and Loures.
During his address to dozens of supporters, Sérgio Aires sharply criticized both the PS candidacy, led by Manuel Pizarro, and the PSD/CDS-PP/IL alliance, headed by Pedro Duarte. He accused the former of wanting to continue the legacy of Rui Moreira and the latter of extending Rui Rio’s influence.
