LISBON — You don’t see people marching with flags bearing the iconic communist symbol of the hammer and sickle every day.
But this was not a typical day in Lisbon. It was the annual celebration of the Portuguese Communist Party, known as “Festa do Avante!”
The event, which usually draws thousands of visitors over three days, was back at the Jardins da Quinta da Atalaia, a huge park on the south side of the Tagus River, after a pandemic hiatus. It has been a local tradition since 1976.
By the time I arrived in the morning, the crowds were already noticeable and in good spirits.
I saw some marchers raising their fists, which made me think the flame of the Portuguese communists must still be alive.
This fellow was sporting a T-shirt stamped with a picture of Lenin.
I also saw old men wearing hats and scarves, red of course. They belonged to traditional Portuguese folk music groups that also joined the festivities. You don’t have to be a member of the party or a sympathizer to be here. Everybody is welcomed.
The atmosphere was festive and relaxed. Some people laid down their communist flags to sit on the grass.
On the main stage, the popular fado singer Carminho enchanted the crowds — which kept growing throughout the night, as people were drawn to the musical shows.
Founded in 1921, the Portuguese Communist Party is the oldest political party in continuous existence in Portugal and one of few left-wing parties in Europe that still professes a Marxist-Leninist agenda.
It has been rapidly losing ground in general elections: from 12 percent of votes in 1975, to just 4 percent in 2022. But judging by the popularity of this festival, its commitment to move forward (“Avante” in Portuguese) remains strong.
“Proletarians of all countries, unite,” the famous socialist protest phrase attributed to Karl Marx, still appears in the header of the party’s official newspaper, “O Avante!”
In many ways, “Festa do Avante!” is just like any other public festival. It includes concerts, folklore, book fairs, food, theater and dance performances. But contrary to the commercial logic of some festivals, I’m told that this one is intended to be inclusive and welcoming to all, even if it still has a strong political and militant component.
I decided to visit this event, prudently following the old maxim that all sketchers should follow: Draw what you see, not what you know.
So, forgetting several controversies, especially linked to the ghost that overshadowed this year’s communist party — the Russian invasion of Ukraine — what my sketchbook pursued was mainly to draw people, the people united for a cause.
