FIG independent of the Government of Pernambuco makes Garanhuns lose R$ 17 million in investment

With information from the Advisory — – The announcement of the program for the 32nd Garanhuns Winter Festival (FIG) by Garanhuns City Hall this Tuesday morning (2) puts at risk for the State’s cultural sector a public investment of R$ 17 million, already guaranteed in the city’s budget. Foundation of the Historical and Artistic Heritage of Pernambuco (Fundarpe), which for the first time in history is being excluded from the preparation of the event by decision of Mayor Sivaldo Albino (PSB).

By deciding to pull the strings and not continue negotiations with the Government of the State of Pernambuco, which began at the beginning of February, Garanhuns’ management threatens the realization of the FIG as it is traditionally known, covering dozens of languages ​​– classical music, circus, cinema , theater, crafts, for example – chosen by public notice – and opens space for the privatization of the main stage, located on the Mestre Dominguinhos esplanade. The resources had already been guaranteed, including through a decree by Governor Raquel Lyra (PSDB), signed on February 29 and published in the Official State Gazette in March.

Supported by federal deputy Felipe Carreras (PSB), who even announced that he would make a bust in his honor at the entrance to the city, Sivaldo Albino decided to snub the budget of R$ 17 million announced by the governor as the initial level of investment by the management. state for this year’s Festival, which already has notices ready for publication within Fundarpe. With a strong influence in the events sector, Carreras – who previously had a partnership with the producer Festa Cheia – intends to build with Sivaldo an outlet to sell tickets in the sector with a more privileged view of the Mestre Dominguinhos stage, transforming the largest public art and culture festival in the Country in a show business schedule where profit is the biggest objective. Just note that the mayor and the federal deputy do not speak in other areas of the event, which goes far beyond the main stage.

“It draws attention that there is no notice in the square, the bids are delayed, it is said that the hired artists are being paid in advance by a production company, contradicting the basic foundations of public administration. Of course, whoever is paying will want to make a profit later on. Evidently this is not and will never be the essence of the FIG, which is recognized for its multiplicity, and for honoring culture in a transversal and democratic way”, recorded a source linked to the sector.

Despite stating that there was no dialogue on the part of the state management, those who have close knowledge of the documents sent by Garanhuns City Hall to the Government of Pernambuco regarding the 32nd FIG guarantee that the mayor’s demands completely make the participation of the State, which has always been the promoter, unfeasible. of the event. Among the clauses required by the mayor were organizing exclusively (and, therefore, without the participation of Fundarpe) the main stage of the event – ​​Mestre Dominguinhos – and the need for prior approval, by the City Hall, of any programming or changes arising in other poles. The government even accepted the schedule already announced by City Hall for the main shows, guaranteeing that it would include new major attractions at Mestre Dominguinhos, but the mayor did not want an agreement and announced, alone, his FIG.

On the part of the state management, which was able to start planning FIG 2024 in advance, since in 2023 it received from the previous management – ​​led by the PSB – a budget of just R$6.5 million for the entire festival, there is currently a organized planning, with a defined schedule, which includes 17 days of festival, 24 cultural centers and activations and new features such as the circus center and a space dedicated to knowledge and exchange of gastronomic experiences. “Without the notice, which guarantees more than seventy percent of the FIG grid chosen in a democratic and participatory way, several cultural languages ​​will be orphaned by the FIG for the first time in history. All this on the whim of a mayor who will go down in history as someone who decided to bury our beloved Festival”, records the source.