São Paulo – Mabruk group should give a dance presentation, calligraphist Moafak Dib Helaihel should release his calligraphy book, actor Uynes Chami should tell his stories, graffiti artists Gregone, Neo, Smesh, Jota, Her and Frenesi will show a panel on the Arabs, Africans and South Americans and even the Foreign minister of Brazil, Antonio Patriota, should talk. That is more or less how, with a broad cultural programme, sponsored by authorities and specialists in each of the themes, the 2nd South American Arab Culture Festival should take place, from Friday (18th) to March 31st, in São Paulo. The curatorship and promotion is by the Library and Centre of South American and Arab Research (Bibliaspa).
"This is a great opportunity for us to emphasize the relevance of the Arab societies in Brazil, the similarities and the proximity and the language, literature, artistic and musical influences, among other expressions," said the coordinator of the festival and director at Bibliaspa, Paulo Daniel Farah. The festival takes place each year to celebrate the National Arab Community Day, set on March 25th, according to the country law. "The date was not chosen by chance," said Farah, recalling that 25 March Street, a trade street established mainly by Arabs and immigrants in the city of São Paulo, has become a kind of Arab Republic.
This year’s edition of the festival, to include events in several areas of the city, should be greater than last year’s edition and should include some highlights, like exhibition "Islam: Art and Civilisation", the largest Islamic art exhibition in Latin America, as well as a panel by the Foreign minister of Brazil, Antonio Patriota, on the part played by Brazil in the transformations in the Arab countries on Tuesday (22), at the University of São Paulo (USP), and a ceremony in honour of important personalities in the Arab community, who will receive medals in honour of the 130 years of Arab Presence in South America, also on Tuesday, at the Bibliaspa offices.
Those honoured will be Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce president, Salim Schahin, Paulo Farah, who is also an author, scholar Benjamin Abdala Júnior, jurist João Grandino Rodas, philosopher Marilena Chauí, writers Milton Hatoum and Raduan Nassar, doctor Riad Younes and the founder of the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital, Violeta Jafet. "It will be an honour for me to receive this honour as it also shows admiration for the Bibliaspa work, stimulating us to continue with and expand our work," said Farah, also mentioning the Schahin. "It is an example of the great performance for development of Brazil and of the Arab countries," said Farah, pointing out Schahin’s operations in several areas, both in business and beneficent.
Another highlight of the programme is the exhibition of "The Arab, African and South American people as seen in street art", a large artistic panel by graffiti artists Gregone, Neo, Smesh, Jota, Her and Frenesi, at Bibliaspa, showing the contemporary language of the three peoples. On Friday evening, starting at 8:30 pm, they should present the panel, at Bibiliaspa offices, and will speak about its development, showing a film. The opening of the exhibition as a whole should take place on Friday night, with a music and poetry presentation, at the Bibliaspa headquarters.
Another highlight will be the release of book "Caligrafia Árabe" (Arabic Calligraphy), by Moafak Dib Helaihel, published by Edições Bibliaspa in four languages. There should be a calligraphy exhibition between March 18th and April 4th, at the Arab Brazilian Chamber offices, and also at Bibliaspa, from March 18th to 20th, as well as a talk on the theme, on the 23rd, at the Bank of Brazil Cultural Centre, and the release of the book, on the evening of the 24th, at the Bibliaspa. Another highlight is the presence of renowned authors of Arab origin. "The Arab people traditionally appreciate literature, arts, and generations are influenced by their families, their forefathers," said Farah.
There are also broad options for those present at the festival, with dance and music presentation, poetry recitals, roundtables, storytelling, theatre plays, cinema, talks and workshops, all focussing especially on Arabs and South Americans. Play "Em que instante Deus criou as orquídeas" (When did god create orchids), with fragments from book Tale of A Certain Orient, by Milton Hatoum, will be presented on Saturday (19), at Cervantes Institute, and also on March 25, at Bibliaspa Space.
"The great fruit of this festival is greater promotion of the peoples and their cultures, as well as the possibility of reflecting on Arab cultural manifestations and on the contribution of immigrants in the South American context," said Farah, pointing out that among the aims of the event is the strengthening of the connection between South American and the Arab nations, based on respect to cultural diversity and on historic ties, as well as promotion of the culture of peace through closer ties between people. "We aim at a world living in harmony, seeing diversity as an element of strength and riches and for good social relations anywhere on the planet," he said.
The festival has the support of the Unesco, the Arab Brazilian Chamber, the São Paulo City Hall, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Culture and the Federal Government. The programme is open to the public and admittance is free.
Service:
2nd South American Arab Culture Festival
From March 18th to 31st
Promotion: Bibliaspa, Rua Baronesa de Itu, 639 – Santa Cecília – SP
Information: (+55 11) 3661 0904
Programme: www.festivaldaculturaarabe.org
*Translated by Mark Ament
