The composer and performer Dog Murras, the actress and TV presenter Celma Pontes, the writer and lecturer João Canda and the artist Paulo Chavonga are some of the attractions on the first day of the 2nd edition of the Black Consciousness Festival, which takes place between tomorrow and Sunday, at Teatro Prudential, in Glória, Rio de Janeiro.
Held in celebration of Black Consciousness Day in Brazil, November 20, the 2nd edition of the festival has as its pillars breaking down barriers and building bridges, strengthening ties between that South American country and the African continent. Sponsored by Bayer and supported by Europ Assistance, the event is curated by Teatro Prudential / Instituto Evoé through curator Maria Siman.
Due to the success of the first edition, held in 2021, this year the festival gained more space and an even more comprehensive program, with three days of activities divided between African literature, music, theater, a stand selling products made by black artisan artists. Also participating in this edition, in addition to Angolans, are black artists and intellectuals from Brazil and Africa, such as Sunny (Nigeria), singer and musician Mû Mbana (Guinea-Bissau), and Brazilian singer Sandra Sá, who are also an attraction of the first day of the festival.
Celebrated on November 20, Black Consciousness Day is a day of reflection on the struggle of blacks against oppression and the implications of racism in Brazil today. But to understand our present and build a future with equal opportunities, we need to know the past. And the past of black people, of course, is in Africa.
“We seek to bring to the public the strength and extraordinary power of art and culture produced by the Brazilian Afro-descendant community and by African artists and thinkers. A diverse program, contemplating an artistic plurality in three days of intense activities occupying all the spaces of Teatro Prudential”, says Maria Siman
