The Festa do Avante!, which traditionally marks the PCP's return to political activity after summer, kicks off today at Quinta da Atalaia, in Seixal, in a special edition celebrating the 50 years of this initiative. The event runs until Sunday, bringing together political, cultural and recreational programming at the venue located in the district of Setúbal.
The PCP's secretary-general, Paulo Raimundo, will be present during the three days of the festival. On Sunday, the closing day, the usual rally will take place with a speech by Raimundo, marking the beginning of the party's new parliamentary year. Also on stage will be JCP leader Inês Castro and the director of the "Avante!" newspaper, Manuel Rodrigues.
During a visit to the site last week, Paulo Raimundo highlighted the festival as "a great space for asserting hope, for collective construction". The party intends to celebrate the defeat of the labour package and warn the Government that it cannot "rob Social Security". The edition was also marked by a controversy over the invitation to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which ended up not participating after the party announced that conditions had not been met.
The cultural lineup includes concerts by Carolina Deslandes, Carlão, António Zambujo, The Black Mamba, Pedro Jóia with Ney Matogrosso, among others. The kickoff will take place today on the 25 de Abril stage with Beethoven's 9th Symphony, performed by the Sinfonietta Orchestra of Lisbon and the Lisbon Cantat Symphony Choir, with a tribute also planned to Cândido Mota, a historic radical who died in May. In addition to music, there will be cinema, theatre, debates, sports and a programme dedicated to children.
