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To our great regret and astonishment, did we hear that "CASA DA ANIMACAO" seems to be in danger. It is an unique and exemplary culture centre in Porto, dedicated to the art of animation. Below you find more information, and we heartly ask you to send your letters of solidarity to Casa da Animacao at Margarida Feijó - marfeijo@esoterica.pt Vanessa Ventura - mail@casa-da-animacao.pt

Initiative in solidarity with "Casa da Animacao"
	Letter of Abi Feijó
	Appeal by A.P.R.I.L.
	Appeal by Nuno Rodrigues Grande

Letter of Abi Feijó

Dear Friend, After 15 years at the head of "Filmógrafo", where I developed my work in the area of production and training on Animation Cinema and where I always fought for the improvement of working conditions in this tough area, especially when we are outside the big film production centres, "Casa de Animação" emerges as the fulfilment of a dream: a unique cultural equipment, unique in the country and extremely rare in the world's scenario of Animation Cinema. In this fantastic space of 1500m2, we have a theatre, a space for exhibitions, a library/video library, an archive, a production studio, a training studio, a cafeteria and a small gift shop. Designed to promote the Animation Cinema in its different aspects, from exhibition to training and production, "Casa de Animação" has already developed, since 2001, a substantial set of activities, among which we point out the retrospectives dedicated to the Aardman studios and to Folimage; to the cinematographies of Canada and Switzerland; shows of Ladislas Starewitch and Mercedes Gaspar films; the holding of a Symposium on Art & Animation, the production of a Cartoon Master; and workshops with Normand Roger, George Schwizgebel and Florence Miailhe. Created in the scope of Porto 2001, City of Culture, our doors were officially opened, on the 28th of October 2002, World Day of Animation. Right from the start, the project was supported by the Municipality of Porto, the Institute for Cinema, Audiovisual and Multimedia, from the Ministry of Culture, the Porto Business Association, among other institutions. Meanwhile, political changes in Portugal together with the international crisis we're all suffering from, are being translated by great adversities to "Casa de Animação" mainly due to the breach of agreements by the official authorities. It is with great apprehension that we are waiting for the definition of our future by these institutions. We have reasons to believe we are at great risk of seeing all our efforts go down the drain and being forced to suspend all our activities very soon.. Under these difficult circumstances, APRIL, a non-party political association of civic intervention, proposes to alert and try to mobilise the national and international public opinion. APRIL will, therefore, now present its initiative . Thank you for your attention, as well as for any collaboration you might be able to give us. Best Regards, Abi Feijó

Letter of A.P.R.I.L.

A.P.R.I.L. (Regional Political Association of Local Intervention) considering the hard times "Casa da Animação" is going through, decided to organise a public debate in the city of Porto, hoping to give a positive contribution to the decisive debate to the future of the "Casa da Animação" to be held soon at the National Parliament In this debate, we particularly intend to enhance the significance and the role that "image", whether in terms of cinema or photography, has had and still has in the life of a city which can be considered the cradle of this form of art in the country. Porto is indeed a city with long traditions in this area: it was in here that the first Portuguese film was made; the first photographs shot here have such high quality and importance that they justified the creation of National Museum of Photography in town; it was also here that the first association of film lovers was born, the Cine Club of Porto; besides so many other activities. Porto is also the home town of two of the most awarded filmmakers of the current Portuguese and in many ways even international cinematography, Manoel de Oliveira e Abi Feijó. "Casa da Animação" is a cultural equipment of such paramount importance that any citizen aware of the fact cannot remain indifferent or silent before the present threats hanging over its head. APRIL believes it is its duty to contribute to raise awareness and support to the cause and is, therefore, organising this debate be held on the 7th of February where we'll also present the Appeal enclosed. Your presence would be of great value, but all contributions that you might be able or willing to give would also be precious: suggestions, a personal message, or simply signing our Appeal. Anything will be most welcome. We cannot afford to waste such worth! To all, our sincere gratitude for your contributions. The Board of APRIL

APPEAL: The Culture of Image and the City: "Casa da Animação" and it's Future

The people's cultural development was decisively influenced by the technologies of image production at all levels of human relations, education, research and dissemination of knowledge. The relationship between people, societies and countries gained universality through the spreading of photography and cinematography. The city of Porto has, from the start, been an active player in this expression of the creative power of human mind. In photography, creators such as Alvão had such a great importance to the history of Portuguese culture that the decision was taken to choose Porto to host the National Museum of Photography. Likewise, cinema, with Aurélio Paes dos Reis, has always mobilised the sensibility of the Porto people. As such, the Porto Cine Club was created and acted as a form of resistance to obscurantism during the dictatorship by a people that throughout history always stood up for justice and progess. To this identification of cinema with the affirmation of knowledge and values that characterize our people, Manoel de Oliveira adds to the films he shoots here a dimension of universal message, written with great sensitivity and making no concessions. And in animation cinema, Porto also has makers whose work is internationally recognised by its high quality. With Abi Feijó, the animation cinema made in Porto asserts itself as a process of transmitting knowledge and values in an artistic and highly pedagogical way. Teaching through animation, putting together the beauty of image, movement and sound in an artistic way, is one of the most promising forms of individual and collective development. "Casa da Animação" was created in Porto, because this is the city of the culture of image. Our community is, therefore, responsible for the working conditions of this centre of film culture. We believe it is unavoidably a matter of civic consciousness and responsibility to the Portuguese people, and particularly to the citizens of Porto, to contribute to the accomplishment of the specific purposes of "Casa da Animação". We, therefore, appeal to all people responsible for public or private administration of Porto's institutions to take the necessary measures, through partnerships or other means, to allow "Casa da Animação" to fulfil it's potential and produce animation films with educational and pedagogic aims and thus promoting the cultural heritage of the city of Porto, the Northern Region and the Country. We appeal also to the elected local powers and other political and economical players to launch and develop initiatives - following the example of the Members of Parliament from Porto constituency - to firmly defend this place and the team that brings life to it. (Nuno Rodrigues Grande)