Performing arts in Northeastern Brazil are shaped by adversity and struggle, and artists attest to the resistance involved in their creative practice.
What does resistance mean in differing contexts, and how does creativity and expression affect individuals, communities and outcomes?
Through stand-alone, networked and collaborative projects, we are working to amplify the voices and power of artists through an understanding of resistance and change-making.
Latest posts
-
Creating space for women and children in capoeira
Mestra Di leads the group Luz di Angola, and its associated children’s group Luz di Angolinha in Olinda, Pernambuco. She identifies as a Black and Indigenous woman and, born and raised in the area she teaches, Mestra Di has lived experience of the challenges that her students face. Through her personal journey, too, she has developed a critical eye on the conservatism in many capoeira groups, and she uses her practice to open the space for children, women and gender non-conforming players.
-
Capoeira as social and cultural education
Mestre Ulisses leads the capoeira group Lua de São Jorge in Olinda, Pernambuco. He started training capoeira at the age of 10, practising in backyards and on the beach. He has a large children’s capoeira group, recognising the challenges and risks that children face on a daily basis, he regards capoeira as social and cultural education.
-
Traditional culture as a catalyst for transformation
Apollo is a flute player from Ceará, Northeastern Brazil. He has played the flute since he was a child, and is now a teacher and performer. Apollo describes his mission as rescuing traditional music and songs as a way to bring back their associated insights and understandings. Key to his vision is the conviction that music has the power to support transformation through facilitating expression and communication. He has observed music supporting transformation in his students, and attests to its centrality in his own gender transition.
