Mothers for the Camp ask Christmas Market in the City Square

Na letter addressed to Carlos Coins, the Mothers for the Camp recognize the importance of the Christmas Market for the city, pointing out that they do not intend to question its realization, but rather the location chosen for its installation, for considering that “Lisbon deserves to live Christmas without losing the identity of its historical spaces”.

“Rossio is one of the most emblematic squares in Lisbon. A historical, patrimonial and symbolic space, whose identity must be preserved and valued. Its centrality, dimension and importance as a public space require a balanced use, to safeguard the movement of people, the enjoyment of space and the dignity of the surrounding heritage”, they highlighted.

Mothers for the Camp argue that “it is possible to reconcile economic dynamism, the celebration of Christmas traditions and the preservation of historical heritage, through decisions that take into account the public interest and the quality of life of those who live and visit Lisbon”.

For this reason, they ask Carlos Coins to move the Christmas Market planned for Rossio to the City Square, which they consider “a more appropriate alternative” and “a space equally central and representative of the city”.

“We are not against the Christmas Fair. We are in favour of a Lisbon that knows how to value its spaces, respect its heritage and find more balanced solutions for everyone”, they stress.

The current protests against the housing crisis began in Porto on October 10 and have expanded to Lisbon, but have also motivated concentrations in other cities.

The intervention of the PSP to disperse the camps and remove the tents in Rossio, in Lisbon, and in Praça D. João I, in Porto, culminated in police loads and throwing objects, causing more than two dozen wounded between protesters and police.

The protesters demand, among other things, the reversal of the new rental law, a stop to housing purchase by real estate funds and “truely accessible” roofs to income.