A journalist look at the disunited heart of the USA on display at the City Hall Council Chambers

The mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, inaugurated, last Friday, the exhibit “Estados Desunidos da América”, on display in the City Hall Council Chambers until November 30. A critical look by João Porfírio (photojournalist) and João de Almeida (reporter) during the 2020 presidential election.

The two were, between October 24 and November 7, 2020, covering the presidential campaign in the USA, for the online daily newspaper Observador. The exhibit, curated by Maria Mann, is “a record of a politically committed country, but severely constrained”, emphasizes Casa da Imprensa, the organizer.

During the 16 days, João Porfírio and João de Almeida Dias (currently, a diplomat) travelled over 2600 kilometres, passing through four North American States: New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. They signed together, 16 reports. “We did not find anyone willing to stay halfway. We heard people who placed Trump on the side of the worst of fascists and also who equated Biden to communists dictators. We also met people who had stopped talking to friends or family due to their political opinions”, underlines João de Almeida Dias, quoted by the organization.

“João Porfírio and João de Almeida Dias captured the very heart of today’s America in eloquent and evocative documentation. Their images and words place us directly at the core of a Disunited America”, notes the exhibit’s curator.

The exhibit will be on display in the atrium of the City Hall Council Chambers until November 30. The exhibition can be visited free of charge, from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.