São Paulo – The Brazilian musicians Toquinho and Maria Creuza will perform at the Byblos International Festival in Lebanon on July 16. They are part of the festival’s lineup, which also include artists from Lebanon itself, United States, Jamaica, France and Australia. Tickets are now on sale.
According to Adam Jayme Muniz, head of the Cultural Department of Brazil’s embassy in Beirut, the decision to bring Brazilian musicians to the festival was made by the event’s organizers and the initiative has the embassy’s support.
“Brazilian music in Lebanon has great repercussion. Now and again, you tune in the radio and listen to Brazilian music. It’s not something new to the Lebanese, especially Bossa Nova”, says Muniz. According to the diplomat, covers in French of Brazilian classics such as Garota de Ipanema and Águas de Março are commonly heard on Lebanese radios.
Muniz also points out the places where the international festivals are held in the country. “Lebanon has several international festivals in the summer. Usually, they are held at the Lebanese archeological sites”, he says. The Baalbek festival, for instance, Lebanon’s oldest one and held in one of these sites, had the participation of Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil.
Toquinho began his career in the 1960s and had as musical partners prominent names of the Brazilian artistic scenario, such as Chico Buarque and Vinicius de Moraes. Among his main hits were Aquarela and Tarde em Itapuã.
The singer from Bahia Maria Creusa started her career at the same time as Toquinho. She was one of Vinicius de Moraes’ favorite singers. Her hits include songs such as Você Abusou and Mas que Doidice.
Toquinho & Maria Creuza at the Byblos International Festival
July 16, at 8:30 pm
Where: Byblos archeological site, Lebanon
Tickets ranging from LBP 60,000 (USD 40), LBP 90,000 (USD 60) to LBP 120,000 (US$ 80)
Further information at www.byblosfestival.org/02-ToquinhoCreuza/
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
