Carta Aberta a Sua Alteza o Príncipe Aga Khan

fotografia (site +Lisboa)

Perante a constatação de um brutal abate de árvores de grande porte no jardim ( classificado ) do Palacete Mendonça e o consequente silêncio das entidades públicas responsáveis, fazemos um apelo ao novo proprietário.

Your Highness Prince Aga Khan,

We are writing you with an urgent plea, taking into consideration the Foundation's legacy in regards to the rehabilitation of gardens and parks as well as the restoration of historic buildings all over the world.

We ask you to, please, stop the knocking down of hundreds of centenary trees, namely Celtis australis, in the gardens of the Foundation's future headquarters, in Lisbon. Along with the construction of a garage and a lake, these acts will certainly compromise the future of other trees in the park, such as the ensemble of dragon trees (Dracaena draco). This park is classified as of "Public Interest", according to Portuguese law, which gives the dimension of the important patrimony the Foundation has in hands.

We also call your attention to the reformation works inside the Palace Mendonça itself. This palace was conceived by one of the most important Portuguese architects of the beginning of the 20th century, Ventura Terra, and it stands for the most accomplished Art Nouveau buildings in Portugal. Any changes to its structure will compromise the coherence of the whole and examples of this architectural style do not abound in our country.

What is happening both in the park and the building does not live up to the standards the Foundation has put in other projects elsewhere and this is the more intriguing when what is at stake are its headquarters that should stand as a showcase of the Foundation's standards.

We kindly ask Your Highness for your intervention in stoping the destruction of Portuguese patrimony.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Plataforma em Defesa das Árvores
Fórum Cidadania Lx
Comissão de Moradores do Bairro Azul
Vizinhos das Avenidas Novas
Rui Romão (former Gardner of Palace Mendonça)
Associação de Moradores das Avenidas Novas de Lisboa