Since September 2012, Portugal along with Brazil, has been celebrating the year of Portugal in Brazil and Brazil in Portugal. The celebration “Year” has involved a range of artistic and scientific exchanges between both Countries. The aim of the year is to showcase a young, modern and innovative country, in which the economy, the arts,…
A couple of years ago a few book enthusiasts organised an event for young people at the Library in Tavira. The idea was that children of different cultures would come together and share their favourite books and read in their own language from those books. Children practiced their reading aloud to an audience and each other and…
A unique opportunity is available to work with the colourful, Maria João in Tavira on 25 and 26 May 2013. “She is the best contemporary Portuguese jazz singer” so says Tela Leão “and will be coming to help people explore jazz improvisation”. “16 people have already signed up and there are only 4 places…
On Sunday 10th March in the Casa do Povo in Santa Estevao, a few people met together to listen to the Brazilian storyteller Thomas Bakk. He is a passionate, funny, clever storyteller who engages the audience by occasionally involving them in the story. He tells stories, with his body and face. He has a big…
As part of the Mare de Contos Festival there are two storytellers in Tavira this week. Tim Bowley an Englishman living in Spain, will share some traditional stories at Pessoa Cafe on the, 8th March at 9pm. At 10:30pm on the 8th, at CENAS, the Brazilain Thomas Bakk will share some more stories. He will…
Brazil, equals, music, food, smells, passion, excitement, it has it all, including the spectacular waterfalls that make up the Iguaçu Falls. We flew internally from Manaus in the Amazon, via Sao Paulo, with Tam airlines to Foz de Iguaçu in June 2012. We were there two nights, so three days. The weather was cool, but…
We are now in Rio, in Santa Teresa in the Bianca guest house which overlooks Sugar Loaf mountain. From my window I can see the cable car going from one side of the mountain to another mountain. Having seen the plumbing and the electricity cables hanging precariously all over Brazil, I wonder how that…
The day started with a press conference with Ian McEwan. He was his gentle mediative self and shared his love of Brazil. He first came to Brazil with his son in 2004 and his son said at the time Paraty had been the best 15 hours in Ian`s diary. His son, Gregory met a girl…
On Day 3, I attended a mix bag of sessions. The first session celebrated the poems of Drummond. In the next session Stephen Greenblatt and James Shapiro, shared their love of Shakespeare. Later in the day, Granta provided the space for two British writers to reflect on what being British means. Two Middle Eastern writers…
Trying to work in Paraty has so far been a frustrating experience. The main event last night, which was sold out many weeks ago, was not the most compelling experience I had hoped it would be, having read some good things about Paraty. I am hoping today will be better. The organisational issues for…