The President of the Lisbon City Council, Carlos Moedas, stated this Monday that it is "false" that the local authority "does not support" the Arraial dos Cravos, maintaining the willingness "to find solutions". The Arraial dos Cravos, organized by the cultural association Cultra and the Associação Abril and integrated into the 'Abril é Agora' celebrations, was scheduled for the 24th and had the support of the local authority in the last two editions, in 2022 and 2023. "It is false that the CML does not support the Arraial dos Cravos. Since the first contact, we have made ourselves available to help this initiative take place," Carlos Moedas began by writing, in a publication released on the social network X (formerly Twitter). "We continue to be available to find solutions. Like this one, there are hundreds of initiatives that we are supporting to commemorate the 50th anniversary of April 25," he added.

É falso que a CML não apoie o Arraial dos Cravos. Desde o primeiro contacto, disponibilizámo-nos para ajudar a que esta iniciativa se realizasse. Continuamos disponíveis para encontrar soluções. Tal como esta, são centenas as iniciativas que estamos a apoiar para comemorar os 50…

— Carlos Moedas (@Moedas) April 22, 2024

It should be noted that the issue at hand is a publication released by the organization of the Arraial dos Cravos, in which it is stated that the traditional event will not take place "due to lack of support from the Lisbon City Council". "Take Carmo! Due to lack of support from the Lisbon City Council, our traditional Arraial dos Cravos held on the night of April 24 cannot proceed in the usual way. In the 50th anniversary of April 25, we will sing Grândola in the streets as always. We appeal to all organizations and collectives committed to this event, as well as to the entire population of Lisbon, to join us at Largo do Carmo on the night of April 24. April 25, always!", reads the Facebook page of 'Abril é Agora'.

To Lusa, Dina Nunes, from the organization of the arraial, said that the local authority denied the necessary logistical support, specifically the installation of the tents where the associations exhibit and sell materials, as well as food and drinks, and the stage where "the artists perform for free". The announcement of the cancellation of the arraial is generating indignation on social networks, where appeals have been made to maintain the concentration at Largo do Carmo. After receiving the green light from the Santa Maria Maior Parish Council to once again hold the initiative at Largo do Carmo, the organization of the arraial asked, "as always", for logistical support from the Lisbon City Council. According to Dina Nunes, the request was made in writing on April 9, but contacts had already been made with the Culture Councilor, Diogo Moura. In a written response to Lusa, the CML confirms having received the request on the 9th, at night. "On the date this request was received, most of the material and human resources available to the CML were already committed to other events, scheduled several months ago," the local authority pointed out, adding that it informed the organization that "a stage and a tent were available for transfer on April 24". "Given that there was already a set of occupations planned and authorized for Largo do Carmo, within the scope of the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of April 25, both entities agreed to change the location of the Arraial dos Cravos to Praça de Luís de Camões", says the CML. Dina Nunes tells a slightly different story: the proposal for Praça de Luís de Camões was made to the organization by the Misericórdia Parish Council, when the authorities realized that Largo do Carmo would be occupied by RTP equipment for the April 25 broadcast. The organization agreed to the change, but insisted, by email, on the need for logistical support. According to Dina Nunes, the response they received on April 12, in which the general secretariat of the CML said it was not possible to support the initiative "given the numerous requests" received, did not change. "In 2022 and 2023, the Council supported it easily. There was no issue," recalls Dina Nunes. The Lisbon City Council says it was informed today about the decision of the organization of the 'Arraial dos Cravos' to cancel the event. Last year, the 'Arraial dos Cravos' brought together 24 associations and a dozen artists. Read Also: About a thousand soldiers participate in a ceremony commemorating April 25 (Portuguese version)