Brésil

Brazil is first and foremost a landscape that has an impact on traditions, people, their beliefs and their ways of living. The ballet we receive comes from Recife which is the capital of the state of Pernambuco. It is the cultural symbol of this multicultural city. It comes from a mixture of lands and climates which naturally results in an incredible mixture of races, colors and traditions. 

The history of Recife goes back more than five hundred years, it is one of the oldest cities in Brazil. With around one and a half million inhabitants, the city is also one of the most populous in Brazil. Tradition, creativity and cultural diversity are great markers of identity for the inhabitants of Recife and music plays a strategic role by mobilizing a lot of energy and creations. 

Recife is famous for its street carnival. The “Galo da Madrugada”, which takes place every year, is the largest carnival group in the world. The event brings together unique forms of musical expression such as "frevo" and "maracatu", as well as internationally known movements, such as "manguebeat". The city benefits from a long history of musical innovation with the "frevo", a local rhythm from the 19th century, included on UNESCO's representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. 

“Frevo” is a popular regional music especially during carnival. It is influenced by Afro-Brazilian and European culture, as are the different types of music originating from Brazil. The “frevo”, in its oldest form, was heard in polkas. “Maracatu” is another type of music popular in the city. It evolved into “mango beat” which is a combination with other types of music, including “ciranda” and “rap”. 

Under the humid heat, this region welcomed black people who imposed their rhythms and music, while finding a freedom that was denied to them elsewhere. This is the other fundamental influence of the show. 

But no one has forgotten their religion. The result is an extraordinary abundance of rhythms and costumes where Indian paganism, black animism and the still very lively Catholicism of the Portuguese meet in eight-week carnivals and in celebrations of the birth of the child Jesus which occupy a whole month. And each, in their own way, has found a way to adapt the birth of the “King” who comes to visit three wise men: one in cape and sword, the other in the most beautiful black and the third, covered in Amazonian feathers like an authentic parrot. 

It is a new Brazil, powerful like Africa, marked by its Afro-Indo-Brazilian character that we will discover in its native form. 

As is still this nation and in this city where everything is to be discovered, from the subsoil to the sky, where the diamonds of the earth are reflected in the stars of the clear night