All things Brazilian
As we cool down with the end of summer, the heat is turned up by the Brazilian embassy and the Pharos Cultural Centre with the fourth annual Brazilian Cultural Month
It’s that time of year again, and it tends to separate people into two camps. There are those of us who are jumping for joy now that the intense heat has subsided and the cooler autumn months are upon us. Others are suffering from a serious case of nostalgia as the holidays form part of a distant memory and the routine well and truly sets in.
Whatever mood you find yourself in as October begins, there’s a lot of fun to be had as all the magic of Brazil reaches our shores in a joint effort by the Brazilian Embassy in Cyprus and the Pharos Trust. Presenting Brazilian Cultural Month for the fourth consecutive year, the events will showcase aspects of this colourful and vibrant culture through art, music, dance and films at various venues in Nicosia and Limassol. We’ve sorted through the list of events and give you the low down on the best of the lot.
Brazilian Contemporary Music with Ive Mendes
Arriving to perform at Half Note Music Club in Limassol, this is the first time that local crowds will be graced by Ive Mende’s presence. A real Brazilian diva, Mendes has already made a mark for herself in her home country, Europe and Asia. Born in Brazil to a family of Spanish, French, Portuguese and Brazilian heritage, Mendes brings a true cosmopolitan tone to unmistakably measured Brazilian grooves.
Her songs, representing the Nu-Brazil style, are a beautiful bilingual blend of English and Portuguese, mixing tradition, soul and pop. All this is accompanied by a tender mix of bossa nova beats, slinky acoustic guitar and airy percussion.
Piano Recital with Arnaldo Cohen
The Brazilian born pianist Arnaldo Cohen, now living in the United States, has long enjoyed a reputation for wowing audiences with the musical authority and blistering virtuosity of his performances. Arriving in Cyprus for a concert at the PASYDY Auditorium in Nicosia, he will be playing works by Levy, Gnattali, Braga, Villa-Lobos, Nazareth, Dutra, Oswald, Liszt and others.
Cohen is regularly invited to appear as a soloist with major orchestras, notably with the Philadelphia Orchestra under the distinguished conductor, Wolfgang Sawallisch, and with other ensembles including the Cleveland Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition to his recital and orchestral appearances, Cohen was a member of the prestigious Amadeus Trio for five years and has performed with many string quartets.
Contemporary Art Exhibition by Anna Maria Maiolino
Anna Maiolino’s work has for some time been considered central to the development of late 20th century art in Brazil and Latin America, and she has increasingly received international recognition as a key figure in contemporary art. In a career that spans almost 50 years, Maiolino continually re-appraises her production, initiating new lines of inquiry often accompanied by the use of new media. Dealing with pressing issues of the time, an exhibition opening up at the Pharos Centre in Nicosia will present recent and past works by the artist, ranging from drawings and photographs, to films and installations.
Maiolino held her first solo exhibition in 1964, and during the late 1960s she produced a series of works using the written word, fabric and upholstery stuffing. Many of these were included in the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, she has participated in numerous group exhibitions and held various solo shows.
Fourth Brazilian Film Festival
The film festival will present six films from the contemporary Brazilian film industry at the Weaving Mill in Nicosia throughout the coming month. All films will be screened with English subtitles, with a great mix and match of genres to suit all tastes.
If you fancy a tragically romantic story, then go along to watch O Maiaor Amor do Mundo (The Greatest Love of All) directed by Carlos Diegues and awarded best film at the Montreal Film Festival in 2006. Born in a favela from an unknown mother, an astrophysicist working in the United States named Antonio returns to Brazil with the aim of finding his true roots. Suffering from an incurable disease, he discovers the reality of Brazil but also finds love in the arms of a girl from the favela. Violent and tragic at the same time, this film takes the audience through a roller coaster of emotions in a non stop search for the comprehension of the human soul.
If you’re in the mood for watching a documentary, then don’t miss a film dedicated to one of Brazil’s most famous songwriters and poets, Vinicius de Morales (1913-1980).
He wrote some of the most memorable Brazilian poems of the 20th century and the lyrics of dozens of the best bossa nova and samba songs like ‘Garota de Ipanema’ and ‘A Felicidade’. The great appeal of the Vinicius documentary is the way it is intimately directed by his ex-son in law, experienced filmmaker Miguel Faria, and is co-produced by his daughter Susana.
Spending, drinking and marrying wife after wife (nine in total), there is not a single dull moment in this greatly deserved homage to his life. Sit back and enjoy archive footage of the man in action, interviews with his partners, friends and family, on-screen recitation of some of his best poems, and musical numbers played live by Brazilian stars.
Brazilian Cultural Month
October 2 until October 25
4th Brazilian Film Festival with six film screenings from the contemporary Brazilian Film Industry. The Weaving Mill, 69-71 Lefkonos St, Phaneromeni, Old Nicosia. Tel: 22-762275
October 16
Piano Recital with Arnaldo Cohen with works by Levy, Gnattali, Braga, Villa-Lobos and others. PASYDY Auditorium, Nicosia. 8.30pm. Tel: 22-663871
October 25
Opening of contemporary at exhibition by Anna Maria Maiolino. Opens October 25, 8pm, until December 15. Pharos Centre for Contemporary Art, 24 Demosthenis Severis Avenue, Nicosia. Tel: 22-663871
October 26
Brazilian Contemporary Music with Ive Mendes. Half Note Music Club, Corner of Saripolou and Socratous St, Limassol. 10.30pm. £10 including one drink. Tel: 25-377050/ 96-531315
A Brazilian book month will also be organised within the framework of events, organised in association with the Moufflon bookshop, showcasing the richness and diversity of Brazilian culture. Books will be available from the Moufflon Bookshop in Nicosia and at all venues of the Brazilian Culture month.
For further info visit www.thepharostrust.org or email [email protected]. Tel: 22-663871
