My inaugural lecture on 19 March 2026 gave me the chance to reflect on how the work I did on humanitarian assistance in countries at war and the processes of security and development in the Democratic Republic of Congo led to my current research on Northeastern Brazilian arts.
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.
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.
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.