Minister of Culture says that only spaces for artistic creation solve the problem of Stop musicians – Cultura

The Minister of Culture stated this Tuesday that the classification of the Stop shopping center, in Porto, as a property of municipal interest, solves “part of the problem” and that only the implementation of spaces for artistic creation will solve the problem of musicians.

“I believe that a classification solution was found at municipal level that solves part of the problem that was posed”, stated Pedro Adão e Silva, when asked about the situation at the Stop shopping center.

The minister, who was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the extraordinary general assembly of the Association of Friends of the Coliseum, highlighted that the Stop classification resolves the issue related to the building and “the works that need to be done”.

Pedro Adão e Silva also assured that “it is not up to the Ministry of Culture to resolve the issue of musicians”, arguing that municipalities with greater population density should have spaces for artistic creation.

“I know that Porto City Council is committed to creating these spaces and that is what resolves the issue of musicians”, he observed, referring to Escola Pires de Lima, an alternative proposed by the municipality.

In relation to Stop, the government official recalled the appeals made by the musicians to the Ministry of Culture, mainly related to the classification of the building and the declaration of public utility.

“I had the opportunity, following these appeals that were made, which were unclear and precise in what was asked of the Minister of Culture, to ask for an opinion on the understanding that was prohibited from the Minister of Culture”, he said, saying that the opinion was clear .

“The law continues to be what limits the political action of members of the Government”, he added.

The classification of the Stop shopping center as a property of municipal interest was unanimously approved by the municipal executive on November 6th.

Approval of the start of the classification procedure implies, under the Basic Law for Cultural Heritage, the establishment of a general protection zone of 50 meters.

Stop, where mostly rehearsal rooms and studios are located, saw most of its areas sealed off on July 18th, leaving almost 500 artists and shopkeepers with nowhere to go, but it reopened on August 4th, with a fire engine at the ready. door.

Stop will continue to operate indefinitely following a precautionary measure taken by the owners following the city council’s decision to close the building, confirmed on September 22nd the mayor of Porto.