[ad_1]
Each year, a Porto suburb toasts Christmas with a € 350,000 festive extravaganza, which includes a large Ferris wheel, carousels and an ice rink.
But the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have made entertainment not a priority for Vila Nova de Gaia.
Instead, the suburb will allocate the 350,000 euros to help those most affected by the health crisis.
“We understand that at this time there are many needs created by the pandemic, such as layoffs, unemployment, loss of income, which justify the relocation of that money and some towards community support, such as help to pay rent, food boxes at families in need, “said Eduardo Vítor Rodrigues, mayor of Vila Nova de Gaia. “So, we are not spending the money in an amusement park or a Christmas market for example, but in the same Christmas spirit and at the same time solving a serious problem that our people face.”
Together with a private partner, the city council has decided to distribute 3,000 Christmas boxes of food products to families in need.
A year from now, the inhabitants of Vila Nova de Gaia hope that they will be allowed to celebrate Christmas in their usual style.
