São Paulo – The Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Center, in Beirut, is expanding its activities. The center struck a partnership with the Zouk Mikael city hall, some 15 km off the Lebanese capital, and began offering Portuguese language lessons in the municipality. At the headquarters, drawing and Brazilian martial art capoeira are now being taught as well.
“Each class has 12 students at most. The lessons are for beginners and taught once a week, from 5pm to 8pm,” says the center’s director Najua Bazzi regarding the lessons in Zouk Mikael. “The student profile is various. Some have Brazilian passports, others want to learn because they plan on returning to the country, and others yet want to specialize and become professional translators,” she explains.
Classes began on the 13th and the module will last two-and-a-half months. If students are interested, they will be able to move on to other modules with the same teacher. According to Bazzi, the center will consider whether there is demand in the city for additional beginner modules. The minimum age to attend the classes in Zouk Mikael is 13. The course is taught at the Youth and Culture Center.
According to Bazzi, there are plans to offer Portuguese lessons in other Lebanese cities. “We are looking into it and beginning talks with the Byblos city hall,” the director reveals. The city is in the same area as Zouk Mikael.
Drawing and capoeira
The Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Center headquarters in Beirut is also offering something new this year. Every Tuesday, drawing lessons with live models will be taught by the artists Elio Haddad, Graziela Aoun, José Roberto Brito and Tarek Mourad.
“Anyone who enjoys drawing can attend, no reservation required. Just show up and bring your material,” Bazzi says. The center does not coordinate the classes; it only provides the space for the artists. The USD 10 fee per class must be paid directly to the instructors.
During the classes, live model volunteers will hold different poses for up to 35 minutes for the students to draw. Classes will feature instrumental Brazilian music in the background.
“The idea is to open our space to the fine arts and other activities, such as lectures on Brazilian fine artists. They will pique the curiosity [of Lebanese citizens on the subject] as a means to attract the public,” says Bazzi.
Classes will last from 5pm to 8pm with up to 20 students. The teachers speak Portuguese, Arabic, English and French. No prior drawing knowledge is required.
On Mondays and Wednesdays, the center offers capoeira classes from 7:15pm to 8:15pm. These are also coordinated by outside teachers, with the center providing the premises. The cost is USD 10 per class. “The lessons will be taught by the Filhos de Bimba group, which is already a household name in Lebanon,” Bazzi explains.
Anyone over 18 can attend. The teachers are a Brazilian woman and a Lebanese man. According to Bazzi, beside encouraging people to embrace sports, the capoeira classes spark interest in learning the Portuguese language. “The capoeira helps with language practice because the songs are repeated several times,” she points out.
And Brazilian parties are also in the mix. On February 05 at 7:30pm, the center will host a Carnival ball and people will attend in costumes. The Lebanese percussion group Passos Alegres will be playing.
Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Center
Website: http://brasiliban.itamaraty.gov.br/pt-br/
Telephone: +961 1 322 905
Email: brasiliban@itamaraty.gov.br
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
