Society

Last night’s show proved why the municipal project “Desporto no Bairro” promotes kids empowerment in social neighbourhoods

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For three months, the Momentum crew and its director, Max Oliveira, together with Ágora Porto worked with kids from eight neighbourhoods in Porto, under the project "Desporto no Bairro": Aldoar, Fonte da Moura, Viso, Ramalde, Cerco, Lagarteiro, Pasteleira, and Pinheiro Torres. Circa 500 kids learned a different lifestyle, a healthier one and literally have broken boundaries, as now they know they can follow dreams.

The final performance happened yesterday, when all the dreams, anxieties and talent closed in the same stage, at Super Bock Arena – Pavilhão Rosa Mota. Max Oliveira mirrored all the emotion underlying such an incredible project as Desporto no Bairro”, voicing that “I, my team we did not expect this, especially in 20202, with the pandemic, it is already a victory. I want to thank the team of professionals that accompanied me and the Porto City Hall, Ágora Porto, because without them this would not have been possible. Lives have been changed for the better".

Mayor Rui Moreira also took to the stage to announce that this is “a project that will continue. We have surpassed all expectations as circa 500 kids, aged 6 and 19 years old, from all the eight neighbourhoods were engaged in this project”. A project that, as the Mayor pointed out, “is also related to what we think is “Cultura em Expansão; this is also culture, when everyone with all their differences and qualities reach inclusiveness”. The entire executive body attended the show, as the families and friends of the 35 finalists on stage.

For about one hour, the kids from the blocks rose to star quality, showing why Hip Hop is on its way to becoming an Olympic modality, in 2024. The best b-boys and b-girls in the Hip Hop scene joined them on stage, and the all-star international dance crew, the ILL Abilities crowned this perfect performance.

The show kicked off at 8.30pm, with limited seat availability, to comply with the health measures issued by the DGS. Face masks were mandatory and all seats were previously designated, with physical distancing among viewers that were not within the same household. Also, entry and exit points had separate circuits and were duly marked.