“Culture is a weapon of political struggle,” says Aldo Arantes at the party of Avante

Between one agenda and another in the busy party of Avante 2025, in Portugal, the historic Brazilian communist leader Aldo Arantes stopped to talk to the Red portal. Representing PCdoB, he attended debates, accompanied releases, reunited with PCP and presented his newest book, “Mastery of Minds: From Military Coup to Cultural War.”

In the interview, Aldo spoke about the meaning of launching the work at an international event, reflected on the challenges placed by the rise of the far right and highlighted the importance of cultural and political spaces, such as Avante and the Red Festival, for the mobilization of the left.

Red Portal – Why launch the book on Avante and what is the feeling of participating in this edition of the event?

Aldo Arantes – Everyone knows the highlighted role that the party of Avante has, and for me it is a immense joy to participate. PCdoB has been present here for 19 years and today I was able to release my book in Lisbon, in a very dear bookstore called Saudade. Yesterday I also participated in the debate about the Araguaia Guerrilla. It is a moment of pride to represent my party, because the party of Avante is a meeting space of militants, artists and popular movements around the world. Launching the book here is symbolic, because the debate it proposes goes beyond national borders.

Also read: Latin America is featured in debate at the Avante Festival

During the party, besides the Portuguese audience, leftist movements around the world meet, exchange experiences and knowledge. What is the contribution of this book to the international scenario of popular movements in the current conjuncture?

In the past, the far right seized power through military blows, especially in Latin America. Today, it seeks power by elections, dominating consciousness. It does this with political-ideological irrationalism, denying science, history and truth. The goal is to create a confusion of ideas that ensures the continuity of capitalism. They present themselves as radicals against the system, but in fact they are the ones that support it the most. And not even the limits of bourgeois democracy they respect. They use fake news, hatred campaigns and digital manipulation to win minds.

This book seeks to analyze exactly this process. It is a phenomenon that is repeated in several countries, from Latin America to Europe, and that threatens world democracy. The far-right cultural war is today an urgent theme. That is why I find it appropriate to launch the work here in Avante, in a space where progressive forces from around the world are found.

Also read: Brazilian delegation highlights sovereignty at the party of Avante

The party of Avante happens in a moment of much political fierce in Europe, with the threat of the far right, the growth of xenophobia and misinformation. How do you see the consequences of this process on the European continent, also for us in Brazil and Latin America?

What we see is a scenario of political fierce. In Europe, the rise of xenophobic and authoritarian forces worries, and this dialogues with processes that we also live in Latin America. The book seeks to contribute to understanding this new reality: the far right no longer uses brute force but dispute hearts and minds.

We live a time when contradictions deepen. On the one hand, traditional capitalist countries try to preserve their hegemony; On the other hand, poles arise that articulate differently, such as China, India and other countries that tension the world order. It is a process that is not peaceful. Therefore, more than ever, the unity of international progressive forces is necessary.

How do you evaluate the importance of spaces such as Avante, which brings together politics and culture, party and struggle, also bringing art to the meeting space of the militancy of the left?

These festivals fulfill an essential role: they show that culture is also a weapon of political struggle. Avante is an example of this, as is the Red Festival in Brazil or similar experiences in other countries. They give voice to artists, intellectuals and militants who articulate in defense of democracy and sovereignty.

Here, in Avante, I saw representatives from various countries bringing their vision. This strengthens the understanding that we are not alone. Culture and politics merge in this space, and this fusion gives strength to the struggle of the left.

In Brazil, inspired by the party of Avante and other similar events, the Red Festival was created, which walks to its third edition. What do you expect from this event for the mobilization of the Brazilian left in the next period?

The Red Festival is already a reference in Brazil and can inspire new initiatives. The idea is to expand: bring culture, theater, cinema, music and political debate to various regions of the country, bringing the people closer to the struggle of ideas.

He has shown how we can unite young people, workers, artists and intellectuals around a common cause. This is exactly what we need: strengthen popular consciousness using culture as an instrument of mobilization and transformation.

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(BL)