News Porto.

Turkish Airlines resumes the Istanbul-Porto route on 29th March, with four weekly flights. The route had been suspended in the beginning of the pandemic.

The centennial bookshop that combines books and a magic scenario, reopened to the public, following the easing of the confinement restrictions, as announced by the Government. As of 15th March, doors are open and, for now, entrance is free. Take time to appreciate the new colours that deck the amazing staircase: the lavish red has been temporarily replaced by yellow and grey. Lello is open between 10.30 am and 1 pm, and between 2 pm and 5.30 pm.

The FITEI - International Iberian Theatre Festival, is back from 1st to 16th May, as announced by the organisation to Lusa. The main novelty is that the festival will take to both the digital and the in-person format. Theatres, cinemas and concert hall are to reopen on 19th April.

As of 15th March, Serralves Park is open to the public, between 10 am and 7 pm. The Park had closed in January, owing to the latest general confinement issued by the Government. These stressful times that ask us to balance work - either remote or in-person - and family, while trying to stay connected to relatives and friends, and whilst respecting physical distancing and confinement measures are not a walk in the park. Or might they be? Yes, Serralves Park opened to the public, on 15th March.

Porto City Hall launched a programme to raise awareness on the issue of mental health among its collaborators, which is especially relevant in the ongoing pandemic context. Last week, it was time for the Municipal Police to undergo the workshop, at Almeida Garrett Municipal Library. “The current framework [of Covid-19] accentuated and exposed even further the importance of taking care of people’s physical and psychological health, with common and concerted responses”.

Porto City Hall resumes free training for traders in the city, this March, in a digital format. Owing to the health preventive measures still in place, the sessions follow an e-learning model. The goal is to provide traders and businesses the opportunity to recycle knowledge and reactivate competences. Applications are open and free, but places are limited. Register now.

The once service building in the complex of the Faculty of Pharmacy is now to be transformed into a student residence by the University of Porto. The public tender was launched on 11th March and the budget is circa 1.45 million euros.

SOLE - Serralves Online Experience debuts its first podcast themed #PERISCOPE, which features British artist Mark Fell, Australian choreographer Adam Linder and Polish dancer Ola Maciejewska.

The Mayors Summit Against Anti-Semitism is scheduled for 16th March and it gathers mayors from all parts of the world, from Porto to Athens, and from Pittsburgh to Frankfurt, in Germany, the online event organiser, jointly with the Combat Anti-Semitism organisation.

Originally titled "Porto, Mon Amour", the film “Porto” tells the story of two foreigners, American Jake and French Mati, who briefly meet in Porto and experience a short but intense intimate relation. The film is now available on HBO. “Porto”, by Gabe Klinger, had its world premiere in 2016. It has been screened in over 25 countries and won awards in Portugal, Argentina and Belgium.