Edvaldo signs agreement with Fecomércio for the realization of the Illuminated Christmas event.

Sergipe 247 - Mayor Edvaldo Nogueira (PCdoB-SE) and the president of the Sergipe Federation of Commerce, Laércio Oliveira, signed an agreement this Monday morning, the 30th, for the "Illuminated Christmas" event in Fausto Cardoso Square, in downtown Aracaju. The initiative includes the lighting and decoration of the area, as well as artistic activities taking place there. The program will begin on December 1st and will be repeated annually until 2020.

At the same ceremony, Edvaldo and Laércio also formalized a partnership for the development of assistance, leisure, and health activities in Mariana Moura Square, in the 17 de Março neighborhood. The "Com Unidade" project will last eight months and will offer courses, workshops, recreational and sports activities, social tourism, education, and nutrition programs. Dental services and examinations will also be available to local residents. The project is an initiative of the Social Service of Commerce (Sesc) in partnership with the city hall, through the Department of Social Assistance.

According to the mayor, the partnership with Fecomércio represents the first step towards Aracaju once again becoming a benchmark during the Christmas season. “During my previous term as mayor, Aracaju was one of the most brightly lit cities at the end of the year. Now, we are restarting this work. In this first year, through a partnership with Fecomércio, we will have the Illuminated Christmas in Fausto Cardoso Square, which is symbolic for the city, with an investment of R$ 250, made entirely by the organization. This will generate activity in the city center. There will be daily events, with choirs and shows, which will boost the economy. This is the restart of work we have done in the past and that we will resume to attract more tourists to our city and strengthen local businesses,” he stated.

Regarding the “Com Unidade” project, Edvaldo said he was very happy to be able to sign an agreement that will have a positive impact on the lives of the residents of the 17 de Março neighborhood. “That neighborhood was built by me, so it’s something that makes me especially happy. Furthermore, it’s the square that bears the name of Congressman Laércio’s daughter, Mariana, who was a very dear person with whom I had a very good relationship. R$200 will be invested to develop educational activities in a very needy neighborhood. It is the effective presence of public power in partnership with the private sector that will bring dignity to the people,” he emphasized.

The president of Fecomércio and federal deputy, Laércio Oliveira, celebrated the partnerships established with the municipal administration. “These are two agreements that make us very happy and demonstrate our commitment to the city. The investment in the Illuminated Christmas will bring attractiveness to the city center, to a square that is the postcard of Aracaju's Christmas. We have humanized this action, as it will not only be the lighting of the place, but there will be activities every day, with the participation of children, with workshops, with a choir, with local artists. As a natural reflection of this, commerce will be boosted,” he said.

Similarly, the parliamentarian highlighted the importance of the “Com Unidade” project, which, according to him, “will embrace the 17 de Março community in all its needs.” “We will take care of people, from a social perspective, to understand their reality and offer training and recreational activities. It is an investment that will make a difference in that neighborhood,” he stated.

In Partnership with
In his speech during the ceremony, Mayor Edvaldo Nogueira reiterated his willingness to work towards more partnerships between the city hall and the private sector. He emphasized that in this way he intends to inaugurate a new management model in the city of Aracaju. “This is an important moment for our city. I wanted to hold a public event that could clearly show society that we are inaugurating a new way of doing politics. This is a partnership that is not driven by personal or political interests, but by the benefit of the city. It is the alternative to face this moment of crisis. I want to acknowledge the greatness of Laércio's gesture, his vision and commitment, which fills my heart with joy,” he stressed.

Laércio agreed with the mayor's vision. “I am a follower of the ballot box. When the ballot box decides who is the people's representative, that is who I must turn my attention to. So, we are the caravan, we are moving forward. Let them criticize, because our focus is on the work, moving forward, for the benefit of the population. I am absolutely certain that Mayor Edvaldo Nogueira will promote actions that society needs,” he said.

Representative of the Chamber of Retailers (CDL) of Aracaju, Gilson Figueiredo, praised the partnership. “It’s the realization of a dream everyone has been waiting for. Mayor Edvaldo and Representative Laércio deserve congratulations. The beginning of this public-private partnership, with the goal of improving people's quality of life, will bear great fruit. Restoring the lighting in the city center, which has always been an attraction, is a way to bring back the movement of commerce to counteract the crisis,” he highlighted.

Illuminated Christmas
According to the agreement, the city hall will provide all the necessary infrastructure for the Illuminated Christmas event, including security, electricity supply, and the use of public space, as well as public cleaning services. Fecomércio will be responsible for the Christmas lighting and decorations. The schedule of artistic activities will be defined this Tuesday, the 31st, in a meeting between the director of Sesc, Adely Carneiro, and the president of Funcaju, Silvio Santos.

The signing ceremony, held in the auditorium of the Administrative Center, was attended by councilors Antonio Bittencourt, Anderson de Tuca, and Pastor Alves; the superintendent of Senac, Paulo do Eirado; businessman João Ávila, from the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies; and municipal secretaries.