Archive for December, 2009

ICBIE’s Panoply of Colors

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

ICBIE art

For someone returning after a year and a half, the most striking transformation of the ICBIE is the amazing collection of street art that adorns its interior and exterior walls.  The Nova10Ordem crew and visiting artists from as far away as China, Canada, Columbia, Portugal, France, Switzerland, China, the United States, and Denmark have covered every free space with amazing murals, creating a veritable tour de force of bright colors and striking designs and making the ICBIE into a MOMA of street art.

ICBIE art ICBIE art 

ICBIE art ICBIE artICBIE art

ICBIE art ICBIE art

ICBIE art

ICBIE art

ICBIE art

ICBIE art

ICBIE art

Saramandaia Mutirão on YouTube

Sunday, December 27th, 2009

Thanks to a secret horde of videoclips by Alberto Maganzini, there is now a new YouTube video of the Mutirão held in Saramandaia.  Check it out and see what amazing work the ICBIE has done for Salvador’s poorest communities!

Saramandaia on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wJmLIyNA-Q

Santa Comes to Massaranduba!

Thursday, December 24th, 2009

Santa in Massaranduba

For the second consecutive Christmas Eve, the crowded and sprawling area of Massaranduba was visited by three ICBIE Santas, Pietro, Alberto and Roy, who distributed gifts to the children of this impoverished (and often desperately violent) area of Salvador.   But behind the scenes, the generosity of three people made this joyous event possible:  Mary Norris, who kept a collection box on her desk at the New Yorker magazine for the last twelve months; Giovanna Carnosa, who led a group of kids, fundraising in Pescara, Italy; and longtime supporter Veronique Gob, who is currently staying at the ICBIE with her family.  And then there were our artists Julio, Bigode, Marcos, and the crew from Nova10Ordem, along with all the ICBIE volunteers, who prepared the event and gathered everyone together.

One by one, the children were called by name to come up to collect their present, as well as a bag of sweets.   Afterward, there were cakes and refreshments, while the delighted kids played with their new toys.

Santa in Massaranduba

Roy, Pietro & Alberto Santa in Massaranduba

Santa in Massaranduba Santa in Massaranduba

Santa in Massaranduba Fabio

Bigode, Julio, Pietro & Alberto Santa in Massaranduba

Santa in Massaranduba Icaro & Bigode

Santa in Massaranduba Santa in Massaranduba

Santa in Massaranduba

Santa in Massaranduba Santa in Massaranduba

Party Time!

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

ICBIE Christmas Party

Even though the official courses and events are finished, at the ICBIE, like everywhere else, it’s time for end of year celebrations, providing yet another opportunity to knit our community together, where students, staff and volunteers can socialize joyously.   So yesterday afternoon, about twenty-five people gathered for a big party, after Marlene had organized an exchange of gifts, where everyone drew a “secret friend.”  Led by Meg and Lais, one at a time, people took the stage, offering clues until the crowd managed to guess the secret friend’s identity.  Amidst laughter and comraderie, everyone received a present.

Then followed a big buffet of sweets, pastries and refreshments, and everyone saluted Tess and Tubarão, who were celebrating their last night in Bahia.

ICBIE Christmas Party Lais & Meg

Tubarão, Tess & Fabio Julio

ICBIE Christmas Party

Julio Lais, Marlene & Pietro

Marlene Alberto

The Story Instinct - Final Ceremony

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Story Instinct Final Ceremony

Last Saturday afternoon marked the final stage of the Story Instinct Project, led by Tess, Sabika and Tubarão, who have been holding workshops with the children of several disadvantaged areas of Salvador.  The artworks and photographs were shown at the ICBIE (after two previous exhibitions in neighborhoods where the project was working), speeches were made and certificates were conferred to the participants.

Tess and Sabika will be posting their reflections on the project at a later date.  They are also preparing a video of their activities, with professional assistence from Stefano Barbi Cinti and Alberto Maganzini.

Story Instinct Final Ceremony

Story Instinct Final Ceremony Story Instinct Final Ceremony

Story Instinct Final Ceremony Story Instinct Final Ceremony

Sabika, Tess & Tubarão

Story Instinct Final Ceremony Story Instinct Final Ceremony

Story Instinct Final Ceremony Story Instinct Final Ceremony

Photos by Meg Boaventura

Meg’s Report on the Saramandaia Mutirão

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Mutirão in Saramandaia

MUTIRÃO SOCIAL – SARAMANDAIA – 2009

(English translation below)

Neste último domingo, 13 de dezembro, o bairro de Saramandaia foi palco do último Mutirão Social do projeto Oficina de Rua, que foi uma idelização da Região Emilia Romagna e da prefeitura de Bologna em parceria com a Instituição ARCI solidarietà, O ICBIE , e a prefeitura de Salvador, que teve como objetivo a preparação de jovens, através de aulas profissionalizantes para tornarem-se multiplicadores, ministrando oficinas de rua para crianças e adolescentes em locais de forte deságio social.

O último Mutirão Social do projeto Oficina de Rua foi realizado na sede do Grupo Cultural Arte Consciente, onde parecido ao projeto Oficina de Rua, ensinam percussão, grafite,desenho, técnicas circense e boxe, a jovens carentes do bairro de Saramandaia, com o intuito de  desenvolver as capacidades artísticas desses garotos, desejando que eles  possam estudar e profissionalizarem-se através da arte. O grupo foi criado pela iniciativa de 5 amigos, ex-meninos de rua, desse mesmo bairro.

Foi um sucesso total! O domingo estava um dia perfeito, o céu colaborou e o sol estava esplêndido! Durante o mutirão foram realizadas diversas atividades, como sempre os grafites fizeram a abertura oficial do projeto, registrando nas paredes e muros de Saramandaia suas marcas. Criaram também uma maravilhosa árvore natalina toda de materiais recicláveis, despertando o espírito natalino do local.

Julio animou a garotada com a galinha gorda de doces e, os demais voluntários, com as pinturas faciais, “as crianças ficavam fascinadas quando viam pintadas em seus rostos suas fantasias…”, disse Paulo, jovem ator do Instituto. Enquanto seguia a pintura, o ambiente ganhava maior ânimo com a apresentação da banda de percussão dos meninos do grupo “Arte Consciente.

O evento seguiu com a distribuição de uma feijoada deliciosa feita pelas mulheres da comunidade, e todos os presentes puderam apreciar. Após o almoço coletivo, a “Piccola Compagnia de Teatro/Musica ICBIE” (nomeado por Julio), integrada pelos jovens atores do Instituto, Meg, Lais, Suede, Josemar, Aiala e Paulo marcaram presença com mais um novo espetáculo engraçadíssimo chamado “A caixinha Surpresa”, que divertiu a todos, abordando os fatos engraçados do dia a dia, mostrando as diversas maneiras de lidar com os problemas da vida.

Em seguida o “grande” Júlio franqueou o palco para os presentes manifestarem suas emoções através de poesias, monólogos e rap. Todos Fizeram jus ao momento, expressaram-se de forma deslumbrante. Dando continuidade ao projeto, o público teve a honra de apreciar a algo novo durante todos mutirões anteriores: um espetáculo circense, que encantou e hipnotizou a todos, crianças, adultos e idosos. Parecia inacreditável o malabarismo com 8 punhais, dentre outros bravos números apresentados, todos acompanhados pelo som da percussão que deu um toque mágico ao espetáculo.

Concomitantemente os grafiteiros embelezavam a paisagem…

A nossa “grande” Sabika Shah Povia também marcou presença com a tradicional dança indiana, transmitindo beleza e alegria para os presentes, a dança foi contagiante… entorno de cinco minutos de dança, todos estavam envolvidos e dançando com ela, “ foi encantador” afirmaram as pessoas.

No final da tarde pôde-se comemorar junto ao por do sol, o alcance de mais um objetivo almejado. A banda “O Terreiro” fechou com chave de ouro o último Mutirão Social, animando e pondo a galera para dançar com músicas de seu repertório, finalizando com grande estilo.

De 2009 ficarão as lembranças e o sentimento/sensação de missão cumprida!

Meg Boaventura

Mario & Pietro, Mutirão in Saramandaia Thais, Marlene & Mario, Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia Thais, Marlene & Mario, Mutirão in Saramandaia

Marlene & Mario, Mutirão in Saramandaia Mario, Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia

Mutirão in Saramandaia Mutirão in Saramandaia

MUTIRÃO SOCIAL – SARAMANDAIA – 2009

Last Sunday, the 13th of December, the district of Saramandaia was the scene of the final Mutirão Social (Social gathering) of the Oficina de Rua Project, which was established by the Emilia Romagna Region and the City of Bologna, in a partnership with the Association ARCI Solidarietà, the ICBIE and the City of Salvador, that has as its objective the formation of youths, through professional courses that prepare its students to spread their knowledge in street workshops for children and adolescents in areas of marked social degradation.

This last Mutirão Social of the Oficina de Rua was held in the seat of the Cultural Group Arte Consciente, where, like in the Oficina de Rua project, they teach percussion, graffiti, drawing, circus acts and boxing for the deprived youth of the Saramandaia district, with the intent of  developing the artistic skills of these kids, to help them study and gain professional skills through the arts.  The group was formed by five friends, former street children from the same district.

It was a complete success!  Sunday was a perfect day, and the sky collaborated with splendid sunshine.  During the mutirão there were many different activities;  as always the graffiti artists kicked off the official start of the event, painting the walls of Saramandaia with their tags.  They also created a marvellous Christmas tree made from recycled materials, making the area take on a Christmas spirit.

Julio led the kids’ play with a bird stuffed with sweets, like a piñata, and, joined by all the volunteers, with face painting, “the kids were fascinated when their fantasies were painted on their cheeks…,” said Paulo, a young actor at the Institute.   While the painting was going on, the mood became ever more animated, with a performance of the percussion band, consisting of kids from the Arte Cosciente group.

The event continued with the serving of a delicious feijoada, prepared by the women of the community, and everyone present was able to enjoy it.  After the collective meal, the “Little Theater and Music Company of the ICBIE” (named by Julio), including the young actors of the Institute Meg, Lais, Suede, Josemar, Aiala and Paulo took the stage with a very amusing new piece called “The Box of Surprises,” which entertained everyone, tackling the funny things that happen day to day, revealing the different ways to deal with the difficulties of life.

After that, the “great” Júlio took the stage to confess his emotions to the crowd, using poetry, monologue and rap.  Everything was improvised on the spot, with him expressing himself in a dazzling way.  Then, in rapid succession, the public had the honor of seeing something novel, compared to all the previous mutirões:  a circus show that enchanted and hypnotized everyone, young and old.  Especially incredible was the juggling with eight daggers, among other great acts that were presented, all accompanied by the sound of percussion, which gave the show a magic touch.

In the meantime the graffiti artists decorated the area…

Our “great” Sabika Shah Povia also made an appearance with a traditional Indian dance, radiating beauty and joy to everyone present; the dance was contagious… within five minutes everyone took part, dancing along with her:  “she’s an enchantress,” the people remarked.

At the end, celebrated along with the sunset, came the moment everyone had been waiting for.  The band “O Terreiro” sealed the last Mutirão Social with a golden key, enlivening and enticing everybody to dance to their music, a finale in grand style.

2009 will be remembered with the sentiment and feeling of a Mission Accomplished!

Meg Boaventura

Christmas Barbecue in Rome on Saturday

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Churrasco Poster 

L’ Istituto di Cultura Brasile Italia Europa
(ICBIE Europa Onlus)
organizza un

*BARBECUE DI NATALE

a sostegno delle attività dell’ Associazione*
 
**SABATO 19 DICEMBRE, h 13.00, presso La Villetta,
in via degli Armatori 3 (Garbatella)**

Il menu a 15 Euro comprende:

* Bruschette
* Feijoada
* Picanha (Carne alle brace/ Churrasco preparato ad arte dal fantastico Serginho)
* Bevanda alcolica (birra/vino)

Il tutto accompagnato dalle selezioni musicali del nostro Djamiao!

(E’ gradita prenotazione telefonica: Loona 348-9923446)

Yesterday in Saramandaia: Mutirão!

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Saramandaia Mutirão

While waiting for a full account of the day, here are the gorgeous photos sent by Ben Pfannl.  They are so beautiful, they had to be published immediately!  Gorgeous sun, music, art, theater and lots of happy people.

Saramandaia Mutirão - Arte Cosciente Band Saramandaia Mutirão - Arte Cosciente Band

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão - Mario Bortolotto

Saramandaia Mutirão - Thais Saramandaia Mutirão - Marlene

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão - Food!

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão - Julio

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão Saramandaia Mutirão

Saramandaia Mutirão - Julio & Ben

First Meeting of “Italians for Culture” in Salvador

Saturday, December 12th, 2009

Italians for Culture

Venerdì 11/12/2009 ore 19:00
NELLA SEDE DEL NOSTRO ISTITUTO in occasione del

PRIMO INCONTRO  ITALIANI PER LA CULTURA A SALVADOR DI BAHIA

(English translation below)

Conversazioni, progetti comuni, eventi-calendario 2010 e divertimenti su:
arti, letteratura, cinema, giornalismo, biblioteca, gastronomia, turismo, scuola e costruzione del Teatro degli Italiani a Ribeira

ODG:

  • 1.    Consolidamento e collaborazione forze culturali italiane di Salvador già esistenti e in parte attive, creando l’entità ITALIANI per la CULTURA ;
  • 2.    Eventuale progetto per la creazione di una scuola italo/brasiliana;
  • 3.    Accordi sul viaggio del segretario della cultura di SSA  in Sicilia;
  • 4.    Proposta di una pagina di Italia News con articoli di residenti o creazione di un foglio degli Italiani per la Cultura;
  • 5.    Coordinare e stimolare un gruppo di imprese italiane di Bahia ad appoggiare o patrocinare un calendario culturale insieme ai vari rappresentanti delle istituzione pubblice e private locali ;
  • 6.    Istituzione di uno sportello degli ITALIANI per la CULTURA nell’ICBIE per programmi direzionati a Studenti Universitari e medi, ai sindacati e associazioni dei lavoratori, agli operatori turistici, ai cuochi e operatori alberghieri;
  • 7.    Elaborazione di un progetto di master intensivi per l’insegnamento della gastronomia italiana e internazionale attraverso il Comune di Riva del Garda e l’Ass. Cucina senza frontiere.
  • 8.    Proposizione di titoli di film italiani per Cineforum settimanale;
  • 9.    Presentazione all’ICBIE del libro di Franco Mimmi ORACOLI & MIRACOLI;
  • 10.    Degustazione dei favolosi vini dell’ABBAZIA NOVACELLA (Bz) a cura del sommellier della casa produttrice;
  • 11.    Progetto di Andrea Gandolfi dello Studio di Architettura di Bologna per la costruzione del Teatro degli Italiani a Ribeira;
  • 12.    Un pianoforte nella favela: stagione concertistica decentrata di musica da camera, Jazz, Pop, MPB, World Music con sottoscrizione internazionale acquisto pianoforte Yamaha a coda (J. M. Pires a Salvador);
  • 13.    Discussione sul proporsi o meno come gruppo culturale nell’associazione CASA d’ITALIA;
  • 14.    Altri punti all’ordine del giorno ovviamente potranno essere aggiunti  via mail o in loco.

20,30: SEGUE CENA

Presenti:

Agostino Pedone, giornalista
Alberto Maganzini, Prof. Filosofia
Aldo Brizzi, musicista, e consorte Reis
Carlo Loria,Operatore sociale e insegnante Lingua, e consorte Jaciara
Cristina Morelli, Architetto
Franco Mimmi, scrittore, e consorte Teresa
Gino Tapparelli, oper. sociale-scrittore
Giovanni Pisanu, console, e consorte Frances Landim
Ivo Müller, Cuoco-Chef Cucina senza frontiere
Mario Bortolotto, Accademico di Santa Cecilia musicologo, giornalista, saggista
Marlene de Souza, Insegnante di Italiano e vice pres. ICBIE
Mauro Porru, Dir. Dipart. Lingue Romanze UFBA
Paolo Spedicato, Prof. Giornalista e Critico Cinematografico
Pietro Gallina, Presidente ICBIE
Raul Poleggi, Lettore Italiano UFBA, e consorte
Salvatore Dimino, Operatore Turistico Sciacca, giornalista
Sandro Loria, Scrittore
Stefano Barbi Cinti, Dir. Ass. Italia Amica

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture

Italians for Culture

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture 

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture

Italians for Culture Italians for Culture

Friday 11/12/2009, 7 PM
at the seat of our Institute, for the occasion of the

FIRST MEETING OF ITALIANS FOR CULTURE IN SALVADOR DE BAHIA

Conversations, common projects, events calendar 2010 and joviality on:

arts, literature, cinema, journalism, library, gastronomy, tourism, school and the construction of the Theater of the Italians in Ribeira

AGENDA:

  • 1.   Consolidation and collaboration of pre-existing or partly active Italian cultural forces in Salvador, creating the entity ITALIANS for CULTURE;
  • 2.    Eventual project for the creation of an Italo-Brazilian school;
  • 3.    Agreements on the trip of the secretary of culture of SSA in Sicily;
  • 4.    Proposal for a page of Italia News with articles by residents or the creation of a paper of the Italians for Culture;
  • 5.    Coordinate and stimulate a group of Italian businesses in Bahia to support or sponsor a cultural calendar, together with the various representatives of local public and private institutions;
  • 6.    Creation of a center for the Italians for Culture in the ICBIE, for programs aimed at university and secondary students, labor associations, tourist operators, cooks and hotel managers;
  • 7.    Elaboration of a project of intensive masters’ courses for teaching Italian and international gastronomy through the City of Riva del Garda and the Association Cucina senza frontiere;
  • 8.    Proposals of film titles for the weekly Cineforum;
  • 9.    Presentation to the ICBIE of the book by Franco Mimmi ORACOLI & MIRACOLI;
  • 10.    Sampling of the fabulous wines of the ABBAZIA NOVACELLA (Bz), by the sommellier of the company;
  • 11.    Project of Andrea Gandolfi from the Bologna Architecture Studio, for the construction of the Theater of the Italians in Ribeira;
  • 12.    A pianoforte for the favela: a concert season in the periphery of chamber music, jazz, pop, MPB and world music with an international subscription for the purchase of a Yamaha grand piano (J. M. Pires in Salvador);
  • 13.    Discussion on whether or not to propose us as a cultural group in the association CASA d’ITALIA;
  • 14.    Other items of the day.

8:30 PM: DINNER FOLLOWS

Agostino Pedone, journalist
Alberto Maganzini, Prof. Philosophy
Aldo Brizzi, musician, and partner Reis
Carlo Loria, Social operator and language teacher, and partner Jaciara
Cristina Morelli, Architect
Franco Mimmi, writer, and partner Teresa
Gino Tapparelli, social worker, writer
Giovanni Pisanu, consul, and partner Frances Landim
Ivo Müller, Cook-Chef Cucina senza frontiere
Mario Bortolotto, Academic of Santa Cecilia, musicologist, journalist, writer
Marlene de Souza, Italian teacher and vice pres. ICBIE
Mauro Porru, Dir. Dipart. Romance Languages UFBA
Paolo Spedicato, Prof. Journalist and Film Critic
Pietro Gallina, President ICBIE
Raul Poleggi, Italian Lecturer UFBA, and partner
Salvatore Dimino, Sciacca Tour Operator, journalist
Sandro Loria, Writer
Stefano Barbi Cinti, Dir. Ass. Italia Amica

Preparations for Another Mutirão

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Julio & Ben

The Oficina de Rua Project rolls on, and this Sunday there will be another big Mutirão gathering.  This time, the site will be in Saramandaia, a favela in Salvador with a terrible history of violence among its young kids, who banded together in fierce gangs until the arrival of a wonderful group, Arte Cosciente, which offers a rich program of youth activities, such as sports, art and music.  The ICBIE has been building ever stronger ties with this association, thanks to an introduction by our friend Phillip Wagner from Rhythm of Hope and through the Saramandaia graffiti artist Thito, who is part of both Salvador Grafita and the Oficina de Rua Project.

Once again, Sunday’s event will offer dance, theater, graffiti painting, circus acts and music (with a special role for the Arte Cosciente percussion band).

As part of the preparations, Ben and Julio spent a day making celebratory T-shirts.  Thanks to Ben for the photos!

Mutirão T-Shirts

Mutirão T-Shirts

Mutirão T-Shirts Mutirão T-Shirts

Mutirão T-Shirts Mutirão T-Shirts

Mutirão T-Shirts

Mutirão Poster