The direction of Casa do Artista issued a statement strongly condemning the act of violence against actors from the Companhia A Barraca, expressing “full solidarity” with the assaulted actor and other members of the theatrical company.
Casa do Artista reaffirms its “firm defense of the values of democracy, respect, and human dignity, as well as [its] commitment to the dignity and safety of all artists.”
An actor from the theatre company A Barraca was assaulted on Tuesday night by a far-right group in Lisbon while attending a free entry tribute performance to Camões, according to the company’s director, Maria do Céu Guerra.
In statements to Lusa, Maria do Céu Guerra, who is also an actress, recounted that around 8:00 PM, as the actors were arriving at Cinearte in Largo de Santos, they encountered “a group of neo-Nazis with posters and programs,” featuring various xenophobic phrases, who initially provoked one of the actresses.
“Meanwhile, other actors were arriving. Two were provoked, and a third was violently assaulted, sustaining an eye injury and a large cut on his face,” stated the 82-year-old director, adding that the injured actor required hospital treatment.
Maria do Céu Guerra recalled that Tuesday marked 30 years since the neo-Nazi attack that killed Alcindo Monteiro, commenting, “30 years later, this country still hasn’t found a way to defend itself against Nazis.”
According to Maria do Céu Guerra, A Barraca symbolizes peace, though she expressed uncertainty about how others perceive it.
A PSP source confirmed to Lusa that they were called to Largo de Santos at around 8:15 PM due to “reports of attacks,” where they engaged with a 45-year-old man who “reported being assaulted by an individual upon exiting his personal vehicle.”
The PSP, utilizing descriptions of the suspect provided by the victim and a friend, conducted several operations in the streets surrounding Largo de Santos, which led to the identification and interception of a 20-year-old man suspected of the assault, the source added.
The assaulted individual required hospital care, receiving assistance from firefighters on-site before being transported to the hospital.
The PSP has identified those involved in the case – suspect, victim, and witness – and will report all gathered facts to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
