São Paulo – The Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Centre, in Beirut, is sponsoring a theatrical project focusing on the work of Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. The project begins on the 16th and 23rd this month and is open to the participation of adult Lebanese citizens currently learning the Portuguese language.
“The idea is to have the students practice the language with a famous poet. It will be challenging both to us and the students,” says the centre’s director Samia Yakzan. Lebanese non-students at the centre may also participate, provided that they have knowledge of Portuguese. The participants will sit a course on Pessoa’s oeuvre and towards the end of the year they will stage a play based on a text by the writer.
Yakzan explains that the project is a partnership with association Amigos de Portugal (Friends of Portugal) and that the course will be coordinated by a representative from the association.
“We will use a simple piece of prose by Fernando Pessoa, something we can convey in theatrical fashion. We will adapt a simple text into a theatrical play,” she says.
According to Yakzan, Fernando Pessoa is a famous writer in Lebanon. “His famous quotes have become widely known,” the director says. The project will be a pilot for future activities. “We are determined to build on this. This is a cool, interactive way to learn Portuguese,“ she asserts.
According to the director, as a rule of thumb, students must have studied Portuguese for one to two years before achieving the level required to participate in the project. However, she points out that students tend to learn the language fast: “It’s amazing how the Lebanese learn Portuguese fast. It helps that they speak French, which is also a Latin language. Some people possess a vast vocabulary after having completed one single module.”
Service
Theatrical Project – Tribute to Fernando Pessoa
September 16th and 23rd – Registration open until September 12th
Place: Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Centre
Address: Mar Mitr Street, Trad building nº176 Achrafieh – Beirut
Course administered in Portuguese. Free of charge.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
