As the year comes to an end, São Paulo's cultural policy has seen ideological clashes, both on stage and off. However, the city's Municipal Secretary of Culture, Totó Parente, insists that these tensions do not equate to a crisis at the Theatro Municipal, one of the city's most significant cultural institutions. He expressed frustration with the ongoing ideological debates in Brazil, referring to them as "stupid" and likening them to a local sports rivalry.

Parente emphasized the theater's success in terms of attendance, pointing out that 1.3 million people participated in guided tours last year, and the theater's occupancy rates were nearly at 100% throughout 2022. This rebuffs claims of a crisis and suggests that, despite some administrative disagreements, the theater continues to operate effectively. He highlighted the importance of distinguishing between ideological conflicts and the operational realities of cultural institutions.

The backdrop of this discussion includes a notable incident from the previous year, wherein Mayor Ricardo Nunes requested the Foundation of Theatro Municipal to terminate its contract with the management organization Sustenidos due to a controversial social media post by one of its employees. This incident has further fueled debates surrounding the intersection of culture, ideology, and administration in São Paulo's cultural landscape, revealing the complexities and challenges facing public arts institutions in Brazil today.