São Paulo – Last Saturday (18th), the children visiting Estação Guanabara, in the city of Campinas, interior of the state of São Paulo, were able to learn a little about Arabic literature. Storytellers took turns in a children’s tent, at the 1st International Reading Festival, to tell the little ones about the adventures and feats of characters in the Arab imagery. The tent had storytellers of all types, but one group, from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), worked specifically on Arab tales. They are going to repeat the session on Thursday (23rd) and Friday (24th).
The initiative is part of the actions of the Jerusalem Institute of Brazil, which has a stand at the festival. The event kicked off last Saturday and already had a few other attractions turned to Arab culture. On Tuesday (21st), there was an open rehearsal by the Young Brazilian Orchestra of Arabic Percussion. The group is comprised of boys and girls who study in public schools in Campinas and play Arabic percussion instruments. They should have their first formal presentation next year, according to the superintendent at the Jerusalem Institute of Brazil, Ali Al-Khatib.
At the opening of the event, a lecture about literature and its relation with Brazil was given by writer Paulo Daniel Farah. On Sunday, a workshop in cuisine was given by Sofia El-Khatib, who taught how to cook safihas. Around 100 people attended the lesson. Sofia, the wife of Ali El-Khatib, learned how to cook safihas from her mother-in-law, who was from Baalbek, Lebanon, where the safiha originated.
The stand of the Jerusalem Institute at the festival also brings books on the Arab world and the Muslim religion. Some are for donation and consultation only, and others are available for sale. The stand counts on the presence of students in the Centre of Arab Studies at the Campinas College (Facamp), who provide information on Arab culture to those interested. Al-Khatib is also the coordinator of the Centre of Arab Studies at Facamp. The participation of the Jerusalem Institute also counts on the support of the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
The 1st International Reading Festival of Campinas has several other attractions. The event pays homage to Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato and the program includes meetings with authors, theatre and music presentations, film screenings, and lectures about literature. The festival is promoted by the Unicamp and the Campinas City Hall.
Estação Guanabara, where the festival takes place, was turned by Unicamp into the CIS Guanabara Cultural Centre, a site turned to cultural events. The festival has 50 stands belonging to publishing houses, bookstores and organisations. A total of 140,000 visitors are expected during the eight days of the event, according to the organisers. The festival started on April 18th and should continue until next Sunday (26th). Admittance is free of charge.
Service:
1st International Reading Festival of Campinas
From April 18th until 26th
Place: Estação Guanabara, rua Mário Siqueira, 829 – Jardim Guanabara, Campinas
Site: www.flic.com.br
Telephone: (+55 19) 3305-3770
Arab attractions
Arab storytellers
23rd, at 03:00 pm, and 24th, at 02:00 pm
At the Children’s Tent
Books on the Arab world and Islamism
At the stand of the Jerusalem Institute
Until April 26th
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
