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3 clusters · 16 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Artist withdrawals from Lisbon humour festival

Overview

Performers have begun withdrawing from the inaugural Lisbon International Humour Festival (MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest), scheduled for late October 2026, citing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The cancellations follow social media pressure regarding the festival’s headliner, American comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has publicly expressed support for Israel.

Several acts, including comedians Cebola Mol and Inês Aires Pereira, as well as the group Conjunto Cuca Monga and the ‘Tributo Pop’ show, have announced their departures. Inês Aires Pereira stated she could not participate in an event featuring an artist whose positions she finds incompatible with her principles, asserting that “we cannot relativise or normalise a genocide.” Other notable withdrawals include singers Carolina Deslandes, Tatanka, and Bárbara Tinoco, comedian Pedro Tochas, and visual artist Vhils. Some performers used the watermelon symbol, an unofficial sign of Palestinian solidarity, to signal their stance.

Festival organizers, including César Mourão and the promoter Last Tour, have remained largely silent. Reports indicate that organizers are weighing several options, such as replacing the departing acts, proceeding with only Seinfeld, or canceling the festival entirely. There are also indications that organizers may pursue legal action against those who withdrew from their commitments.

As the controversy continues, actor Javier Bardem has publicly commented on the situation via social media. Amidst the wave of cancellations, some performers, including Ana Garcia Martins and David Cristina, have confirmed they will still participate in the event.

Entities

Jerry Seinfeld · César Mourão · Cebola Mol · Inês Aires Pereira · Commedia a La Carte Fest

Timeline

  1. about 23 hours ago

    [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Jerry Seinfeld's Lisbon festival appearance sparks artist boycotts

    Several artists have canceled their appearances at Lisbon’s Commedia a La Carte Fest in protest of headliner Jerry Seinfeld’s pro-Israel views, drawing public commentary from actor Javier Bardem.

  2. 4 days ago

    [CULTURE] 9 sources
    Jerry Seinfeld headline causes artist withdrawals at Lisbon comedy festival

    Several artists have withdrawn from Lisbon's MEO Commedia a La Carte Fest in protest of headliner Jerry Seinfeld's political stances regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.

  3. 7 days ago

    [CULTURE] 6 sources
    Performers cancel Lisbon festival appearances over Jerry Seinfeld

    Performers Cebola Mol and Inês Aires Pereira have canceled their appearances at Lisbon's Commedia a La Carte Fest in protest of headliner Jerry Seinfeld's public support for Israel.

Sources

asbeiras.pt · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cafetorah.com · cinema.sapo.pt · cmjornal.xl.pt · correiodamanha.pt · correiomanha.pt · forbespt.com · gamereactor.eu · nit.pt · observador.pt · offthepress.com · rr.pt · sabado.pt · sapo.pt · tv.sapo.pt

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history