S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 The play \u201cSalamaleque,\u201d in which actress and creator Val\u00e9ria Arbex recalls the character\u2019s Syrian memories while preparing traditional recipes on stage, will begin a tour of coastal and inland cities in S\u00e3o Paulo state this month. According to information provided by the organizers of the project \u201cSsalam, uma cozinha s\u00edria no interior de S\u00e3o Paulo\u201d (Ssalam, a Syrian Kitchen in the S\u00e3o Paulo Countryside), the tour will feature 12 performances in nine municipalities, as well as workshops on preparing Syrian recipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In \u201cSalamaleque,\u201d the stage is transformed into a kitchen, the play\u2019s central setting. As she revisits memories of her Arab heritage and childhood through her family\u2019s stories, the character prepares traditional recipes. The starting point for creating the play, which premiered in S\u00e3o Paulo in 2013, was an inheritance Arbex received: letters exchanged by her grandparents, Nadime and Nicolau. The correspondence was sent from two cities included in the tour, Cerqueira C\u00e9sar and Piraju, while the couple were engaged. Through one story after another, the character explores themes such as immigration, belonging and cultural identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cerqueira C\u00e9sar will host the play\u2019s return on September 25. Performances will then take place in Manduri on October 10, \u00c1guas de Santa B\u00e1rbara on October 17, Ourinhos on October 31, Bariri on November 7, Taubat\u00e9 on November 13 and 14, Santos on November 19 and 21, Franca on December 5 and 6, and Piraju on December 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to \u201cSalamaleque,\u201d the project includes the \u201cArabic Cuisine and Affective Memory Workshop.\u201d Nine editions will be held in the cities hosting the play, with sessions dedicated to senior citizens. Among the activities, participants will prepare Arabic toast with zaatar and herbs as part of an initiative aimed at helping them reconnect with memories and their roots. Both the theatrical performances and the workshops are free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The production is supported by state and federal cultural funding programs and institutions. The schedule for \u201cSsalam, uma cozinha s\u00edria no interior de S\u00e3o Paulo\u201d will be available on the Instagram account of Cia. Teatral Damasco<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read also:
Granddaughter of Syrians turns memory into art
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