Ahead of Teatro Municipal João Paulo II (TMJP2) for the last three years, choreographer Marcelo Evelin resigned on Friday (27/03). Citing divergences with the current president of Fundação Cultural Monsenhor Chaves – which manages the theater –, Marcelo handed his resignation letter to the mayor of Teresina, Sílvio Mendes, pointing out differences in artistic decision making involving TMJP2.

Read the letter bellow:

I hereby resign from the position I have held since 2005 as general director of Teatro Municipal João Paulo II.

The reason for my resignation is the impossibility of productive dialogue with the current president of Fundação Municipal de Cultura, which has been damaging and disqualifying for my work as director of this theater

At this time I feel my participation in the artistic decision making involving this cultural institution is no longer necessary, for the disrespect for my autonomy as director and the lack of interest FMC has displayed for a work that has been successfully carried out with the community of Grance Dirceu, serving as a model not only for this capital, but also for the rest of Brazil and internationally.

I would like to make it clear that this decision is not based on financial agreements and that, on my part, everything was done to make possible the permanence of my artistic project in this theater and in the city of Teresina.

I thank you for your trust in me in the last three years and I make myself available for any explanation and for future projects under different conditions.

Respectfully,
Marcelo Evelin

In an interview for local newspaper Cidade Verde, mayor of Teresina said he was surprised with the attitude of the choreographer and stated he is fully supporting the president of Fundação Cultural Monsenhor Chaves, Cineas Santos. “I was surprised by the letter of resignation (…). So, this creates turmoil and crisis where there shouldn´t be any. I understand the cultural area is filled with conflict, that´s natural. We are not going to be subject to this type of demand, from him or anyone else. We cannot agree with this kind of behavior”. (read the complete interview).

The news was received with indignation by artists all over the country – there are already more than 90 comments at the blog of Núcleo de Criação do Dirceu, a project that was born in the theater and has reached international prestige.

Read also at movimiento.org the letter written by Marcelo Evelin to the dance community explaining the reasons for his decision.