São Paulo – Persian Market (Mercado Persa), the convention and festival of Arab dances renowned in Brazil, will have its next edition from April 10th through 12th at WTC Events Center, in the city of São Paulo. Last year’s edition attracted over 8,000 people, among Brazilians and foreigners, and the organizers expect the number of participants to go up in 2015.
Sponsored by the company Oriente, Encanto e Magia Eventos, the festival has in its program shows of Arab and oriental dances, workshops and courses with prominent dancers, a fair, henna tattoos and Arab calligraphy.
The Persian Market general director and sponsoring company owner, Shalimar Mattar, talked about this year’s attractions. She highlights the course with internationally known Argentinian dancer (Arab dance) Pablo Acosta, and three workshops: with Tufic Nabak, a Lebanese who lives in Brazil and is a specialist in dabke; with Indian choreographer Sunny Singh; and with Brazilian flamenco dancer Carlos Amorim.
Among the themes selected for the lectures are the origins of the Roma people, the Arab dances and beauty. Shalimar says that the festival will have dance activities to those who are not familiar with them and also presentation of folk groups from different cities of Brazil. Saturday’s night concert will be with Mouzaiek, with dance presentations by guest dancers.
The fair, which is a part of the Persian Market, is an important business hub for those working in the area, with sales of products such as clothes for Arab dances, jewelries and interior decoration objects. Some dishes from the Arab cuisine will be served for quick meals. Shalimar also points out that the food court of Shopping D&D, located in the same place, can be used by the participants.
In 2014, it was the first year in which the Persian Market took place at WTC and the general director believes that this means an improvement for the event, due to the size and comfort provided by the new place, besides the great number of available rooms and the large-sized theater.
The goal of the festival is to bring together professionals from the Arab and oriental dance and arts, besides its followers. “The goal is to promote the music and dance mainly, but also everything concerning the Arab culture”, says Shalimar. The public that visits the festival usually spend four to five hours at the event, according to the director.
Service
Persian Market (Mercado Persa)
International Convention of Arab Dance, Art and Culture
From April 10th to 12th, 2015
WTC Events Center, Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.551- São Paulo – SP
Website: www.mercadopersa.com.br
Phone: +55 (11) 5041 6103
Tickets: R$ 60 – half price (US$ 20.65) R$ 120 – full price (US$ 41.31) – The tickets don’t include the Saturday night concert and workshops.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
