Miró Collection will stay in Porto for 25 years
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The Miró Collection will stay in the city of Porto for 25 years, as stated by Rui Moreira, Mayor of Porto.
"This decision safeguards the public and national interests", said Rui Moreira during the Press conference held at Porto City Hall on 24 October, regarding the agreement signed by the Portuguese Government, the Municipality and the Serralves Foundation.
The prime Minister, António Costa, the President of the Serralves Foundation, Ana Pinho and the Minister of Culture, Graça Fonseca attended the press conference.
Two protocols have been signed in order to enable the 85 paintings of the Miró Collection, which are Portuguese Government property, to be in Porto for the next twenty-five years.
This art collection was almost sold by the former Portuguese Government, against the will of a number of public and private citizens and institutions.
"Luckily, that did not happened", as stated by the Mayor of Porto, and "we are glad that the Prime Minister has decided to entrust Porto and the Serralves Foundation with the task of keeping the Mirós' paintings for a period of twenty-five years", enthused Rui Moreira.
The Mayor also added that the art collection will be toured both at national and at international level, as this "is not an ecstatic collection".
The Prime Minister stated that "the decision to bring the collection to the city of Porto is part of the Government's plan to promote the access to culture throughout the national territory".
It is up to the City Hall to make sure the collection is secured, valued and disseminated. This will be ensured by the Serralves Foundation, via a second protocol, where the Foundation will certify that "the collection is seen".
The Minister of Culture, Graça Fonseca added that partnerships are key when it comes to develop a politic of culture that is really public. "Culture has to be pursued by everyone, it has to be networked, by the State, the Local authorities and the privates, but above all, starting by the people".