If “art is a form of integration” – the minister’s words – who better than him to show it? The story of Dino d 'Santiago is well known: he was born poor, lived in Bairro dos Pescadores, in Quarteira, and became famous through music. But, even before that, there was a certain program, in 2001, that served as an impetus: “Escolhas”, the same program for which he is now an ambassador and which was launched this Saturday, October 14th, in Quarteira.
The moment brought together the Algarve singer, but also Ana Catarina Mendes, Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and two representatives of two programs supported by Escolhas: “Mais Sucesso”, from Olhão, and “Esta do Aço”, from Lagos. João Costa, Minister of Education, ended up not attending.
This will be the ninth edition of this program, which has a clear mission: to promote the social inclusion of children and young people from vulnerable socioeconomic contexts.
Launched in 2001, “Escolhas” had, that year, a participant who, years later, would become a music icon: Dino d'Santiago.
«It was shortly after the inauguration of the António Aleixo Foundation that the program arrived. I was almost at the end of my secondary education and there were already many teachers who knew that I liked drawing and “Escolhas” gave many material opportunities to competing projects», recalled the artist, born in Quarteira.
This participation marked Dino d'Santiago to this day, despite it being in the area of music that he became notable and not so much in drawing: «I had access to a world of artistic information that still serves me today», he said.
This Saturday morning, the singer returned, once again, to Escola D. Dinis, in Quarteira, where he was a student, for the start of an edition of “Escolhas” for which he will be an ambassador.
Before, everyone was able to watch a dance performance by a group of students, guided by professor Fernando Jorge Cabral... and which was joined by some of those present in attendance.
«As soon as the invitation arrived, I immediately said yes, because I think that, whoever is going to take advantage of this program, if they know that there are people, like me, who were also stigmatized but went through it and managed to win, they may believe more in having a better future. », Dino confessed to journalists.
In this new edition, “Escolhas” has some new features, as there is an increase in projects in the areas of culture, focusing on inclusion through art, and sport, fundamental dimensions in the development of children and young people and the promotion of social cohesion.
Furthermore, this edition also focuses on extending the duration of each project, which now lasts 3 years, aligning with the school calendar.
This ninth generation will also be the target of reinforced interinstitutional coordination, both at central and local level, with greater coordination and cooperation between different government areas and the establishment of more partnerships at local level.
For Ana Catarina Mendes, Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, this is a key project in the times we live in.
«We are not all born with the same possessions, but it is the obligation of a decent State to give everyone the same opportunities», he said, in relation to “Escolhas”, which has already benefited around half a million children and young people, through 800 projects in All country.
Especially because, defended the governor, «art is a form of integration» and this program is «the armed wing of an inclusive and humanist society».
«“Escolhas” is not for poor people, but so that young people can achieve what they want», he concluded.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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