The 50th edition of the Festa do Avante!, the annual political and cultural festival organized by the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), concluded on Sunday, September 6, after three days of political debate, music, culture, international solidarity and mass participation at Quinta da Atalaia, in Amora, Seixal.
The 2026 edition marked half a century since the first Festa was held in 1976.
The closing rally was addressed by PCP General Secretary Paulo Raimundo, alongside Avante! director Manuel Rodrigues and Portuguese Communist Youth leader Inês Castro. Raimundo denounced the policies of the Portuguese government, rising living costs, attacks on public health, education, wages and pensions, while warning against the racist and xenophobic agenda promoted by the far right. He stressed that the answer lies in stronger workers’ struggle and in a political break with policies serving big capital.
International issues also occupied an important place in the closing rally. Raimundo condemned the role of the United States, NATO and the European Union in fuelling war and confrontation, and reaffirmed the PCP’s solidarity with Palestine, Cuba, Venezuela and the Sahrawi people. Speaking on Cuba, he denounced the U.S. blockade as “an authentic declaration of war,” while the crowd responded with chants of “Cuba will win!”
Solidarity with socialist Cuba was one of the prominent themes of the festival. Cuban President and Communist Party First Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel sent a message thanking the PCP and the Portuguese people for their longstanding solidarity and denouncing the renewed escalation of U.S. aggression against the island.
International issues also occupied an important place in the closing rally. Raimundo condemned the role of the United States, NATO and the European Union in fuelling war and confrontation, and reaffirmed the PCP’s solidarity with Palestine, Cuba, Venezuela and the Sahrawi people. Speaking on Cuba, he denounced the U.S. blockade as “an authentic declaration of war,” while the crowd responded with chants of “Cuba will win!”
Solidarity with socialist Cuba was one of the prominent themes of the festival. Cuban President and Communist Party First Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel sent a message thanking the PCP and the Portuguese people for their longstanding solidarity and denouncing the renewed escalation of U.S. aggression against the island.
Beyond the political rallies, the Festa once again combined concerts, theatre, exhibitions, sport, book presentations and more than 70 debates and discussions. The PCP presented the event as a living demonstration of collective organization, internationalism and confidence in the struggle for a different society.
The next Festa do Avante! is scheduled for September 3–5, 2027.
