Miguel Albuquerque said today that criticism of the Flower Exhibition, held within the Flower Festival, is not widespread. He described the objections as “respectable” but coming from a minority of voices. His remarks followed comments from the environmentalist and geographer Raimundo Quintal, who called the exhibition in Largo da Restauração “very poor.” Quintal’s criticism focused on the condition of the flowers and vegetation, which he said were already dead a few days after the pavilion was inaugurated. Speaking to journalists, Albuquerque argued that public initiatives always attract different viewpoints and that some negative reactions come from people who resist change. He also acknowledged that this year’s edition includes changes in format and that projects of this kind are open to aesthetic judgment. Albuquerque said the pavilion is “very beautiful” in his personal view and described it as a pleasant, different, modern, innovative, and attractive space to visit.
