{"id":301154,"date":"2021-10-27T12:29:55","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T15:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/?p=301154"},"modified":"2021-10-27T17:47:07","modified_gmt":"2021-10-27T20:47:07","slug":"the-arab-culture-in-the-eyes-of-a-brazilian-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anba.com.br\/en\/the-arab-culture-in-the-eyes-of-a-brazilian-man\/","title":{"rendered":"The Arab culture in the eyes of a Brazilian man"},"content":{"rendered":"

S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 Geraldo Adriano Godoy de Campos is not an Arab descendant, but he\u2019s a promoter of Arab cinema, literature, visual arts, music, and particularly knowledge across Brazil and elsewhere. A Brazilian that earned a degree in International Relations and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of S\u00e3o Paulo (USP), three years ago he found a new challenge: Taking his knowledge to another place, Sergipe.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Meeting of CEAI before the pandemic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A professor in Political Theory in the course of International Relations of the Federal University of Sergipe, he created with researchers and students back in 2019 a Center for Arab and Islamic Studies (CEAI) in the institution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were surprised with the interest the center sparked. Early on, we brought Palestinian visual artist Abdul Katanani and sociologist Baha Hilo, and we participated in cultural activities of S\u00e3o Crist\u00f3v\u00e3o Festival (FASC), which is highly popular around here. One could say this was the official birth of CEAI. We\u2019re taking a step further now, as it will now become the International Center for Arab and Islamic Studies, thus allowing a greater interchange with foreign countries, a new framework within the university\u201d, Campos said about the possibilities the new phase promises.<\/p>\n

Opportunities in other regions<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most recent brainchild of Campos, CEAI opens a new window for discussion and studies in the Northeast region of Brazilon the Arab society. \u201cIn fact, there\u2019re many things being done in Rio and S\u00e3o Paulo. Here in the Northeast region, there\u2019s so much, too, but perhaps CEAI plays this role of bringing together studies and researches, this knowledge is out there and is still fuzzy,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s more on this:<\/em> Book club promotes Arab titles in Brazil<\/a><\/p>\n

Furthermore, the center holds another activity that entwines with the purposes of Campos: Approaching schools and bringing the diversity of the Arab culture to young students. \u201cThe challenge posed here is that, while being a center for high studies, we\u2019re also concerned with the education of the youth on the Middle East. It\u2019s a work towards melting prejudices, bringing the university research to teens,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

But what led the researcher who first was interested in Latin American migration and samba delve into the Arab world?<\/p>\n

Childhood memories<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cMy father was from Arceburgo, a town in Minas Gerais with a large Italian and Arab colony. My most vivid childhood memories go back to my family enjoying Arab dishes in the homes of my parents\u2019 friends. A few years later, around 2004 or 2005, I – who was always interested in the culture within the context of International Relations\u00a0 – eventually got interested in Arabic, so I went on and studied Arabic and started participating in meetings of Icarabe (Institute of Arab Culture in S\u00e3o Paulo). I remember hearing the explanations of professor Aziz Ab\u2019Saber (a geographer who died in 2012) and noting what he said. We had very constructive discussions in Icarabe,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n

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Campos: A scholar of Arab culture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Campos then broadened his studies to authors like Edward Said, filmmakers and visual artists as well as other areas of culture, which has always been one focus of his studies and interests. At the same time, he kept giving Sociology classes in the International Relations course at Superior School of Advertising and Marketing (ESPM), which he left only in 2018 to move to Aracaju.<\/p>\n

Before leaving for the Northeast region, Adriano participated in key events for the spread of the Arab culture in S\u00e3o Paulo. In 2015, he was one of the creators of the short-film competition \u201cArabs and 25 de Mar\u00e7o\u201d on the region of Rua 25 de Mar\u00e7o, a street in S\u00e3o Paulo; the competition was held by the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce<\/strong> (ABCC). Together with Icarabe, he was also an organizer and curator of Arab World Film Festival, which has featured filmmakers Elia Suleiman and Kamal Aljafari.<\/p>\n

A treasure to share<\/strong><\/p>\n

In his immersions into the Arab culture, Campos read books and articles, studied, researched, watched movies, and visited Arab countries to research contemporary art. Understood a universe full of unique traits, singular peoples, woes and talents. \u201cI cannot envision a life where I\u2019m not involved in this culture, these numberless peoples. It\u2019s so rich, so powerful, deep and sophisticated\u2026 you find a treasure and want to share it with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

A PhD on Palestinian cinema and art from the University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Campos makes sure to study and promote all forms of Arab art expressions through culture in International Relations. He doesn\u2019t agree, for example, with the idea there\u2019s only \u201cone Arab world\u201d, single and separated form other existential issues that afflict contemporary society.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to be an Arab descendant to be moved, as Arab art talks with the contemporary worlds, speaks of the dissolution of social ties, refugees, conflicts. I cannot watch an Arab film and then close this door as if it was something isolated, because it is not. We must get out of identity-based drawers.\u201d<\/p>\n

*Special report by Marcos Carrieri for ANBA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Translated by Guilherme Miranda<\/strong><\/p>\n

Supplied<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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