Among the clearest statements came from Portuguese actress and comedian Inês Aires Pereira, who withdrew her show Namastê from the festival.
Pereira did not name Seinfeld directly, but said that “one of the names” on the program “insistently defends ideas and actions” she considers “indefensible.”
“We cannot relativise or normalise a genocide,” she wrote, explicitly expressing solidarity with Palestine.
Comedy duo Cebola Mol, made up of Eduardo Madeira and Filipe Homem Fonseca, also withdrew. Their announcement was accompanied by an image featuring a slice of watermelon, a widely recognized symbol of Palestinian identity and solidarity.
“We will celebrate justice, freedom and joy with you on another occasion,” the duo wrote.
The withdrawals have spread beyond the two acts initially highlighted in reports. The Tributo Pop concert featuring Carolina Deslandes, Tatanka and Bárbara Tinoco, Conjunto Cuca Monga, comedian Pedro Tochas and visual artist Vhils have also withdrawn or had their appearances canceled. Some did not publicly state a reason for leaving the festival.
Vhils, whose real name is Alexandre Farto, said his name had appeared on a festival poster but that he had requested its removal.
