São Paulo – São Paulo dwellers will be able to see how Lebanese people have dressed through history. On November 19th, a parade at the city’s main theatre, Theatro Municipal, will showcase 45 typical garments from the Arab country, and a staging of a wedding typically held in Lebanon’s mountains. The event is a tribute from the Lebanese community to the city of São Paulo, on occasion of its 460th anniversary, and is hosted by the Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Association.
“We are always working to build closer cultural ties between Brazil and Lebanon,” says the association’s chairwoman Lody Brais. According to information conveyed by the São Paulo City Hall to the association, the Lebanese community is the first to pay tribute to São Paulo. The city is home to the largest community of Lebanese and descendants outside Lebanon.
The event is curated by the Lebanese culture consultant Samia Saab, who lives in the Arab country. The parade has been featured in several cities around the world, including London, Washington, Paris and Monaco. The clothes are owned by Saab. In addition to providing the attire, she will send her team to Brazil to manage the parade and wedding staging. Models are being selected with Lebanese-Brazilian organizations and the wedding will be enacted by professional dancers with training from Saab’s team.
The clothes will span from the 16th century to present days. The white wedding gown dates from the 18th century, says Brais. According to information released by the Brazil-Lebanon Cultural Association, Samia Saab’s pieces of clothing constitute the largest, most relevant collection of authentic Lebanese attire. The goal of the event is to provide a new perspective of the history of Lebanon, its customs, sociocultural evolution and changes.
According to the organizers, the event will be open to the general public and admission is free. No prior registration is required.
Service:
“Historical Lebanese Attire” Parade
November 19th, Wednesday, 8:30 pm
Salão Nobre (Noble Hall), São Paulo’s Theatro Municipal
Praça Ramos de Azevedo square, no number – Anhangabaú Metro Station
Free of charge
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
