The I.C.B.I.E. Blog

Last night, thanks to the efforts of two talented and resourceful young women, the ICBIE story reached a new audience of filmmakers and cinephiles during the opening ceremony of the 15th International Short Film Festival “La cittadella del corto” in Trevignano romano, on the shores of Lake Bracciano.  Tess Deeks and Sabika Shah Povia worked tirelessly in order to give the entire ceremony a Brazilian flavor:  at 7 PM, in front of the Trevignano City Hall, Sidney Santos “Tubarão” assembled the members of Lembrança Negra, his capoeira group in Anguillara, and began a concert of rousing and irresistible samba drumming that proceeded through the narrow streets of the village to the Cinema Palma.

In front of the cinema on a red carpet, Sabika was the master of ceremonies, as the jury of the festival and the participating directors were introduced one by one.

At that point, she presented the ICBIE.  Pietro Gallina, blocked in Rome with a bad back (Get well SOON!), was unable to attend, so Roy Zimmerman stood in for him, giving a brief description of the ICBIE story and mission.  Then Tess took the microphone to talk about The Story Instinct project that she and Sabika will be teaching at the ICBIE next fall, where the students will explore the topic of storytelling, using writing, narration, drawings, theater, film and photography.  This ambitious and innovative course will require costly equipment and materials, so the girls have been working for months, organizing fund raisers, including this one.  Parabens!!!

The ceremony ended with Tubarão’s berimbau setting off a rousing capoeira exhibition, while Tess’s friends hustled the crowd for donations.

More news of the famous ICBIE - Projeto de Rua European tour keeps trickling in.  (English translation below)

Tour pelas ilhas de Veneza, Burano e Murano

A primeira vista, a imagem acima dá impressão de que são jogadores contratados mostrando a camisa do seu novo clube.  Brincadeiras a parte, na verdade, esse foi o momento que fiz o click do presidente do ICBIE, Pietro Gallina, entregando as camisas da instituição ao nosso amigo Eddy De Fanti.  O fato aconteceu na sua residência em Mestre, na Itália, no retorno do tour que, eu, Pietro, Edvando Castro “Tucunaré” e o casal Carlos e Adriana Soares fizemos a bordo da sua lancha pelas ilhas de Veneza, Burano e Murano. Um passeio inesquecível na companhia do comandante e músico Eddy De Fanti.

JFParanaguá.

A Tour of the Islands: Venice, Burano and Murano

At first glance, the top photo gives the impression of newly signed soccer players posing with the jerseys of their new club.  Fooling aside, to tell the truth, this was the moment that I snapped the ICBIE President Pietro Gallina, as he gave a  t-shirt to our friend Eddy De Fanti.  It was taken in his appartment in Mestre, in Italy, on the last leg of the tour that Pietro, Edvando Castro “Tucunaré”, the couple Carlos and Adriana Soares and I took on board of our boat to the islands of Venice, Burano and Murano.  An unforgettable outing in the company of the musician and captain Eddy De Fanti.

JFParanaguá.

It’s always nice to see that the message is spreading.  Who would ever have imagined that a sleek and trendy Italian website would be talking about art in the Alagados?  That impenetrable conglomeration of stilt houses, a symbol of exclusion and rejection, came to life last August, when Júlio organized an amazing peaceful invasion of Nova10Ordem graffiti artists and ICBIE volunteers, making a day of celebration that transformed the drab and weatherbeaten shacks into a brilliant panoply of street art.

Thanks to the hundreds of photos snapped by the ICBIE volunteers, news of this amazing social art project is attracting more and more attention.  After the exhibit at the American Overseas School of Rome, Monica, Marcella and Loona at the ICBIE Europa office have organized showings all around Rome, in social centers and night clubs.  During the exhibition at the Casetta Rossa in Garbatella last month, a journalist from MArteLive, the web magazine of the Italian NGO Procult, which works to bring young people into the world of theater, music and art, wrote this touching article:

http://www.martelive.it/martemagazine/martemagazine-rubriche/4253-larte-negli-alagados-de-salvador-de-bahia

(English translation below)

O Icbie está mais florido e belo. Todos os dias, ao chegar para mais uma jornada de trabalho no ICBIE, somos agraciados com o sorriso das nossas três amazonas: Vanessa Costa, Raquel Oliveira e Isabela. Elas estão presentes no time do Icbie desde março e além de embelezar o ambiente, vêm desempenhando papel importante na elaboração de projetos e outras atividades do nosso querido instituto.

Com muita seriedade e bons resultados, as girls Power são tendência também aqui, em terras brasileiras.

Júlio Costa

The ICBIE is more florid and beautiful than ever.  Every day when we arrive for another day of work at the ICBIE, we are welcomed with the smiles of our three Amazons: Vanessa Costa, Raquel Oliveira and Isabela.  They have been present at the ICBIE since March and besides embellishing the environment, they came to compile the important papers elaborating the projects and other activities of our dear institute.

With plenty of seriousness and solid accomplishments, Girl Power is a trend here, too, on Brazilian soil.

Júlio Costa

Paranaguá sent this sweet article with a picture of a painting by Bigod, dealing with the swine flu scare, which is worrying people in Bahia, too.

Ontem pela manhã (15), registrei o grafite de autoria do artista Bigod da Nova10ordem, na Avenida Caminho de Areia, Ribeira, em Salvdor (BA), ilustrando a GRIPE SUÍNA, que vem causando vítimas em várias cidades do mundo. Escolhi esse trabalho, para postar um artigo com esclarecimentos sobre o assunto.

A Gripe Suína é uma doença que tem como conseqüência uma variante do vírus H1N1, a transmissão e a apresentação dos sintomas pode ocorrer através do contato animal e objetos contaminados. Sendo que surgiu uma nova variante, que disseminou entre os homens e está causando uma epidemia no México. Desde o seu surgimento, a gripe já fez centenas de vítimas no México e em outros países, e muitas pessoas estão sob suspeita da doença, inclusive na Bahia.

A gripe tem seu contágio através das vias aéreas, como a gripe comum, com contato diretamente ou indiretamente, por meio das mãos com objetos contaminados. O vírus também se espalha, inclusive pelo próprio ar ambiente. A contaminação pela carne suína está descartada, desde que seja cozida a uma temperatura de 71 graus Celsius. Segundo informações, o vírus não sobrevive a essa temperatura.

Os sintomas são muito parecidos com a gripe comum, estão incluídos: febre alta, cansaço, dores musculares, tosse, fadiga, e também provocando vômitos e diarréias.

Texto e foto: JFParanaguá.

This blog was born two years ago today.  When AOSR’s computer teacher Lars Rahm helped to open the account and set things up, no one could have imagined how effective the project would become.  By keeping our supporters informed, a cohesive community has spread around the world without losing its focus and coherence, and the blog’s rich content permits newcomers to quickly form a good idea of our activities.  In two years, the site (including the popular ICBIE photo gallery) has grown steadily in popularity, with a total of 924,000 hits!

A warm thanks to all our contributors and readers on this special day!

(English translation below)

Intercâmbio cultural:
Parceria de novos projetos de inclusão social

Durante a viagem de intercâmbio cultural, promovida pelo Instituto de Cultura Brasil Itália Europa (ICBIE), no período de 19 a 29 do mês de abril, entre a Secretaria Municipal da Educação e Cultura (Smec) e organizações culturais e educacionais da Alemanha, Suíça e Itália, foram realizadas várias reuniões, viabilizando novos projetos de inclusão social e ampliação dos projetos em andamento.

O secretário da Smec, Carlos Ribeiro Soares, acompanhado do coordenador do Projeto Salvador Graffita, Edvando Luís Castro Pinto, do presidente do ICBIE, Pietro Gallina, e do fotógrafo e relações públicas do Instituto de Cultura, José Paranaguá, reuniu-se com as entidades que estão desenvolvendo projetos sociais, a exemplo da Arci Solidarietà da Região Emilia Romana da Itália, que oferece aos jovens artistas de Salvador, através do Projeto Oficina de Rua, cursos de aprimoramento técnico, informática, italiano, inglês, gestão de grupo, história da arte, cidadania, entre outros. Além disso, viabilizou novas parcerias com as prefeituras e representantes de organizações educacionais de Limburg (Alemanha), Riva del Garda, Bologna e Roma (Itália), Basel (Suiça lemã) e Lugano (Suiça Italiana).

Roteiro da programação
Limburg, Alemanha - Reunião com o Prefeito Richard Martin, a Secretária de Cultura, Irene Röng, e os representantes do ICBIE e membros da Lahn Artists, Renate Kuby e Steve Whitton;

Basel, Suiça Alemã - Encontro com a professora de música e flautista Judith Rickeenbaker;

Lugano, Suiça Italiana – Encontro com a artista Luanna Zanotti;

Riva del Garda, Itália - Reunião com o secretário de Cultura, Marino Luigi e o representante do ICBIE, professor Alberto Maganzini, encontro com o diretor do Centro de Formação Profissional de Estudantes de Hotelaria ENAP, Massimo Malossini, e visita ao Museo de Garda;

Reggio Emilia, Itália - Encontro e palestra com o Prefeito Grazziano Del Rio, o assessor de Cultura, Castellano Giovanni e os responsáveis da Arci Solidarietà, Riccardo Faietti e Giulia Bessi;

Bologna, Itália – Reunião com a equipe do gabinete do Prefeito, a assessora de Relações Internacionais, Cooperação e Projetos, Lucia Fresa, a assessora da Área de Comunicação, Política para Integração, Direito da Cidadania, Paz e Cooperação internacional, Elizabetta Callari, o assessor de Política para Segurança, Enrico Dionisio, a presidente da Instituição para Inclusão Social e Comunitária, Matilde Callari Galli e os representantes da Arci Solidarietá, Riccardo Faieitti e Giulia Bessi;

Roma, Itália - Encontro com a diretora Beth Kempler Pfannl e o professor Roy Zimmerman da American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR).

Txt e fotos: JFParanaguá.

Cultural exchange:

Partnerships for new social inclusion projects

During the cultural exchange trip, organized by the Institute of Culture Brazil Italy Europe (ICBIE) from the 19th to the 29 of April,  Salvador’s Municipal Secretary of Education and Culture (SMEC) was able to meet with cultural and educational organizations of Germany, Switzerland and Italy, to weigh the feasibility of new projects for social inclusion and to expand current projects.

The SMEC Secretary, Carlos Ribeiro Soares, accompanied by the coordinator of the Salvador Graffita Project, Edvando Luís Castro Pinto, ICBIE president Pietro Gallina and the photographer and public relations director of the Institute of Culture, José Paranaguá, met with various groups that are developing social projects, such as ARCI Solidarietà of the Emilia Romagna Region of Italy, which, through the Oficina de Rua Project, offers young Salvador artists courses in technical refinement, computer science, Italian, English, group leadership, art history, citizenship, and so forth.  Furthermore, they considered various new projects with city officials and representatives from educational organizations in Limburg (Germany), Riva del Garda, Bologna and Roma (Italy), Basel and Lugano (Switzerland).

Tour itinerary

Limburg, Germany - Meeting with the Mayor Richard Martin and the Secretary of Culture Irene Röng, as well as the ICBIE representatives and members of Lahn Artists Renate Kuby and Steve Whitton;

Basel, Switzerland - Meeting with the music teacher and flautist Judith Rickenbaker;

Lugano, Switzerland – Meeting with the artist Luanna Zanotti;

Riva del Garda, Italy - Meeting with the secretary of Culture, Marino Luigi and the ICBIE representative, professor Alberto Maganzini, and with the director of the Professional Formation Center for Students of Hotel Management ENAP Massimo Malossini, and a visit to the Garda Museum;

Reggio Emilia, Italy - Meeting and conference with the Mayor Graziano Del Rio, the Secretary of Culture Giovanni Castellano and the directors of ARCI Solidarietà Riccardo Faietti and Giulia Bessi;

Bologna, Italy – Meeting with the City Council, the Secretary for International Relations, Cooperation and Projects Lucia Fresa, the Area Secretary for Communications, Integration, Right to Citizenship, Peace and International Cooperation Elisabetta Callari, The Secretary of Civil Security Enrico Dionisio, the president of the Institute for Social and Community Inclusion Matilde Callari Galli and the directors of ARCI Solidarietá Riccardo Faieitti and Giulia Bessi;

Roma, Italy - Meeting with the Director Beth Kempler Pfannl and the teacher Roy Zimmerman at the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR).

Text and Photos: JFParanaguá.

On the heels of last Wednesday’s bash at the Casetta Rossa to celebrate Pietro’s arrival, a crescendo of activity continued all through the weekend.  After a couple of days marked by rapid fire encounters, with people arriving from as far away as Berlin, Amsterdam and Barcelona (and from all around Italy), on Saturday afternoon we all gathered at the Casetta Rossa in Garbatella for the First International ICBIE Meeting.  It was the biggest gathering of supporters in our history, offering a rare opportunity for everyone to work together for the benefit of the Institute.  Before it was over, at least two dozen people had enjoyed the special pleasure of wallowing in a slew of ICBIE stories, projects and dreams.  Every participant had the opportunity to recount both their ICBIE experiences and their aspirations for the future, while Pietro was able to share all the latest news and plans from Brazil.

As always, the work session was followed by a long and jovial dinner, and the Casetta Rossa rocked into the night.

On Saturday morning, Pietro gathered the crowd in his fancy rented bus and drove up to Campagnano, thirty kilometers north of Rome, where we held another meeting at my house.  This time we focused on specific projects and worked on plans to better coordinate our efforts by using a reserved part of our website, euphemistically called “Guevaristi ICBIE,” where we can work together in developing strategies and plans, instead of always bombarding Pietro with emails that he is forced to answer, one by one, leaving everyone else out of the loop.

Energized by the great ideas that were proposed, we were then forced to maintain the hallowed traditions, so we wandered down the hill to the town center, where, just by chance, the annual Carciofata was taking place.  Artichokes and sausages were washed down by abundant glasses of free wine in the glorious spring sunshine.

After watching the bands play, we even managed a well-deserved siesta in the park!

Pietro, together with the ICBIE Europa office, is working on the final minutes of this historic encounter, and they will be posted here in a day or two.

Roy Zimmerman