Collaborating, commemorating, contending
The Festa do Avante!, a cultural and political event organised by thousands of volunteers, is currently underway in Lisbon, Portugal, along the Tejo river. This tradition, dating back to 1976, is a vibrant spectacle filled with concerts, open-air cinema, poetry slams, theatre performances, and a sports festival.
This year's event takes a particular focus on commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the struggle of the left against a policy of escalation and confrontation, including a clear no to NATO. The main stage, named "25 de Abril", is the centre of attraction, hosting a variety of performances and speeches.
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest's winner was JJ, and the event faced pressure from various sides. The communist party, with three seats in the national parliament, is criticizing reforms aimed at curtailing workers' rights by the bourgeois government. Solidarity with the Palestinian people is a significant theme due to the ongoing Gaza war.
Representatives from all regions of Portugal and dozens of parties and movements from various continents are present, voicing their opinions and standing in solidarity. The situation surrounding the exclusion of Israeli television from the Eurovision Song Contest is complex. Jens Buchholz has been discussing the continued calls for the exclusion of Israeli television from the contest, while protests against the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems have taken place in Ulm.
Anton Benz and Matthias Monroy led a pro-Palestinian protest against Elbit Systems in Ulm, and a similar demonstration is planned for Sunday evening in front of the main stage at the Festa do Avante!. Paulo Raimundo, the PCP chairman, called on the government to recognize the state of Palestine unconditionally at the event's opening.
The event also features exhibitions covering history, science, fine arts, and current political issues. The festival grounds are filled with stands and pavilions decorated with flags and slogans, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere for all attendees. The Festa do Avante! is more than just an event; it's a celebration of unity, solidarity, and the struggle for a better world.
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