Brasil Observer #18 - English Version

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FREE HENRIQUE CAZES

LONDON EDITION AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 10

ISSN 2055-4826

One of Brazil’s best cavaquinho players comes to London to perform with Clube do Choro UK and gives us an exclusive interview >> Pages 8 & 9

LEIA EM PORTUGUÊS

RÔMULO SEITENFUS

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DIVULGATION

PRESIDENTIAL RACE HEATS UP AFTER EDUARDO CAMPOS DEATH, MARINA SILVA (RIGHT) EMERGES AS CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY AND WITH AN IMMEDIATE SURGE IN VOTER INTENTION THE CONTEST FOR BRAZIL’S TOP JOB ALONGSIDE DILMA ROUSSEFF AND AÉCIO NEVES GETS TOUGHER

>> Pages 10 & 11


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BRASILIANCE Political reform back to the agenda

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BRASIL IN UK Brazilian students arrive in the UK

LONDON EDITION PROFILE

08 09

Henrique Cazes

EDITOR IN CHIEF

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FRONT PAGE Presidential election changes with Marina Silva

Marina Silva’s trajectory

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CONECTANDO

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2014 ELECTIONS

A experience of an autonomous zone

EDITORS Guilherme Reis guilherme@brasilobserver.co.uk Kate Rintoul kate@brasilobserver.co.uk

PUBLIC RELATIONS Roberta Schwambach roberta@brasilobserver.co.uk

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BRASIL OBSERVER GUIDE Night of Ideas and much more…

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Ana Toledo ana@brasilobserver.co.uk

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16 | 17 GUIDE COVER STORY 18 NINETEEN EIGHT-FOUR 19 GOING OUT 22 | 23 NEW CANVAS OVER OLD 24 | 25 TRAVEL

CONTRIBUTORS Alec Herron, Antonio Veiga, Bianca Dalla, Gabriela Lobianco, Marielle Machado, Michael Landon, Nathália Braga, Ricardo Somera, Rômulo Seitenfus, Rosa Bittencourt, Shaun Cumming, Wagner de Alcântara Aragão

LAYOUT wake up colab digala@wakeupcolab.com.br

GRAPHIC DESIGN Jean Peixe ultrapeixe@gmail.com

DISTRIBUTION Emblem Group LTD mpbb@btinternet.com

E D I T O R I A L

PRINTER Iliffe Print Cambridge iliffeprint.co.uk

ELECTION TURNING POINT? By Ana Toledo – ana@brasilobserver.co.uk

Expectations that the elections of 2014 would be full of surprises surpassed themselves after the tragic plane crash that killed Eduardo Campos presidential candidate for the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). In the aftermath, we have followed developments closely watching the political scene after all, Campos was in a prominent position, running for the highest office of Brazilian democracy. The confirmation of his running mate Marina Silva as his replacement has drastically changed the race. An IBOPE poll, released as Brasil Observer were going to print showed that the new candidate of PSB already has 29% of voter intentions narrowly behind Dilma Rousseff (Workers Party-PT), with 34%, and ahead of Aécio Neves (Brazilian Social Democracy Party-PSDB), who has dropped to third place with 19%. This would force the elections to a second round, where, if the same percentage voted, Marina would beat Dilma by 45% to 36%. We may be heading towards a scenario never seen in the history of the country: two women in the contest and the possibility of a third party to break the hegemony of the PT-PSDB, which alternate in the presidency of the country since Fernando Henrique

ACCOUNTING ADVISORY Cardoso in 1994. There remains five weeks until election day, on 5 October, and a lot can happen till then. On pages 10 and 11 of this issue, read the article by Wagner Alcântara Aragão, who explains the consequences of Silva’s rise in the polls. There are also reflections on what she represents and the challenges she will face to keep the consistency of her candidature, regardless of what polls say. In our Elections Special, it would have been the turn of Eduardo Campos, as it was reported here in the last edition of Brasil Observer. Therefore, this week we take a look at Marina Silva’s background and her rise to the top echelons of Brazilian politics. On pages 12 and 13 you can read about the trajectory of her life and political career of the candidate who in 2010 had almost 20 million votes and that this year, appears as a third way politician with real chances to win. What do you think about Marina Silva’s candidacy? We’d love to know and hear your thoughts on issues in Brazil. Keep in touch with us through our social networks (facebook.com/brasilobserver | twitter.com/brasilobserver).

Atex Business Solutions info@atexbusiness.com BRASIL OBSERVER is a fortnightly publication of the ANAGU UK MARKETING E JORNAIS UN LIMITED (Company number: 08621487) and is not responsible for the concepts expressed in signed articles. People who do not appear in this expedient are not authorized to speak on behalf of Brasil Observer. The contents published in this newspaper may be reproduced if properly credited to the author and to Brasil Observer.

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BRASILIANCE

POLITICAL REFORM BACK ON THE AGENDA Social movements organise consultation between the 1-7 September, at the hight of the election campaign to encourage greater public participation in reform By Eduardo Maretti, from Rede Brasil Atual MÍDIA NINJA

The Brazilian electorate are being invited to share their views on the future of Brazilian politics and vote on whether they support an Exclusive and Sovereign Constituent over the political system just one month before the elections. The Popular Plebiscite for an Exclusive and Sovereign Constituent of the Political System movement entered the final stretch, on 12 August, with a meeting in São Paulo’s centre. The stated goal of the movement is to put this question on the national agenda and ask citizens to respond, scheduled to take place between the 1-7 September. According to the movement’s National Operative Secretariat, 373 groups including social movements, trade unions, associations and political parties are working on the plebiscite. About a thousand popular committees have been created around the country. Activists working for a broad political reform and popular participation do not believe that changes can occur within the National Congress. “The conservatism within the legislature avoids changes with that would broaden popular participation. They even have proposals for political reform, but not based on popular participation. The only way to create that popular participation is through a learning process. That is why social movements have built this plebiscite tool”, said Alberto Marques, a member of Popular Levant of the Youth São Paulo. The plebiscite was proposed by President Dilma Rousseff, in June 2013, when Brazilians took to the streets for political changes, but Congress rejected the idea. At the time, the president presented five topics to be considered by referendums: the form of campaign financing; definition of the electoral system; continuity or not the existence of selection for the Senate; maintenance of coalitions; and the secret ballot in Parliament. The popular consultation of September is not official. However, the evaluation of the movements is that a real representa-

Demonstration in São Paulo for the Constituent

tion in Congress, with ethnic minorities, women, and young people, can only be achieved by political reform made by an elected parliament. The intention is to achieve more than 10 million “votes”, the number reached by popular plebiscite in 2002 against Brazil’s adherence to the Free Trade Area of the Americas, which has been considered the main reference. At the time, 98% said no to the signing of the United States’ interest agreement, and it was ruled out by President Lula in 2005. Although the movement is broad and many entities have suggestions for political reform, there are five points considered consensual and that would, necessarily be brought into the country by changes from a Exclusive Constituent, if it ever were to actually function (read about these

points on the next page). For the organisers, the proportional coalitions are an example of the contradictions of the Brazilian political system. In São Paulo, for example, the left wing PSB (Brazilian Socialist Party) is related to the center right PSDB (Brazilian Social Democracy Party and the PT (Workers Party) in Rio de Janeiro. Thus, a significant vote of a candidate for federal deputy for the PSB in each state can help elect PT in Rio and PSDB in São Paulo, a possibility that “miseducate” citizens in the identification of parties, candidates and key policy differences. Yet the exclusive public campaign financing is the first to be mentioned by virtually ten out of ten militants in any political act by plebiscite as to what occurred in Sao Paulo. “The real change will not

be made by this Congress of contractors and religious fundamentalism. We must end the private financing of campaigns,” said Thiago Aguiar, from the Together Movement who spoke at the event. It is no coincidence that the private funding of political campaigns is considered the most harmful source of corruption arising from the current Brazilian electoral process. “We have to explain to voters that corruption often arises from the obligations made to those who fund the campaigns and the moralisation of the electoral process needs to undergo a process of de-privatisation” said congressman Renato Simões, from the Workers Party of São Paulo. “Private financing assures the economic power to influence on political power. This causes companies to elect their


brasilobserver.co.uk 5 candidates. Inevitable, those who pays the band, chooses the songs. Politicians are elected by donations that actually are not donations. The company invests in a campaign and charges a large return that compromises the interests of the people,” added Alberto Marques. Companies like Camargo Corrêa, OAS, Andrade Gutierrez, Gerdau, Bradesco, Itaú/ Unibanco, Santander, Friboi, AmBev and Votorantim are some of those that contributes the most most to the campaigns. According to the Supreme Electoral Tri-

bunal (TSE) in 2010 spending on the campaign of a congressman has an average cost of R$ 1.1 million. The estimate rose to R$ 3.6 million in 2014. For senators, spending was R$ 4.5 million and now is to R$ 5.6 million. According to data released during the trial of the unconstitutionality lawsuit in the Federal Supreme Court, the total expenditures of the 2002 elections for president, governors, congressmen and senators were R$ 827 million. In 2010, the values reached R$ 4.9 billion.

FIVE POINTS OF CONSENSUS

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The trial was suspended by order of view by Gilmar Mendes, on 2 April. The intention of the minister was to avoid discussing the issue in an election process in 2014. Renato Simões sees more troubling intentions in the application view. “The makeover Gilmar Mendes may have intended that the next Congress, in 2015, legalize, through a constitutional amendment, private financing,” said the congressman.

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REPRESENTATION Taking the five consensus points, there are issues related to specific flags of social movements, such as increased participation of women and also of black and young people in Congress. “Every movement has some specific guidelines. We find that a policy reform would have much importance the question of the secular state. In Brazil, the state is secular on paper, but in practice is very difficult to enforce it,” said Maria Julia Monteiro, a militant of the World March of Women. According to her, gender parity in electoral law that would force the parties to think of the formation of women’s political cadres. “We need to fill spaces and, therefore, form women political leaders. When establishing parity, there

is an obligation to train women for politics”. To institute systematic parity in the election would be with closed party list and pre-ordered, and with gender alternation. “If the first candidate on the list is a man, the second is a woman and so on,” she said. According to figures released by Senator Vanessa Grazziotin, from the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) in 2014 a total of 13,642 candidates are running for all positions, of which only 3,955 (28.99%) are women. Of the 118 candidates for governor, 15 are women. Currently and of the 26 governors of the states and the Federal District, only two: Roseanna Sarney (Maranhão) and Rosalba Ciarlini (Rio Grande do Norte) are women.

COMMUNICATIONS For Intervozes collective, the main theme in considering policy reform in Brazil is to establish rules which forbid politicians to be owners of radio and TV concessions, which radically distorts the electoral political process. “Today, we have Article 54 of the Federal Constitution, which says that deputies and senators may not establish or maintain a contract with a legal entity of public law, local authority, public corporation, mixed-capital company or concessionaire of public service, but the interpretation current Ministry of Communications about it is that is only for management posi-

Current System: Parties receive funds from the Party Fund, from the Superior Electoral Tribunal budget. Parties and candidates can also receive donations from individuals and private companies. Reforms: Donations from individuals and private companies would be vetoed. The cost of the election process would be entirely drawn from the budgets of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

TRIAL The issue of private financing of campaigns is on trial in the Federal Supreme Court. The lawsuit was filed by the Lawyers Association of Brazil (OAB). The majority of the Supreme already declared the forecast of private companies’ donations to political parties and candidates in the electoral process. The score was 6 to 1 vote by the prohibition of this possibility and could at most get to 6-5 if the others remaining votes are to be against the proposal.

Campaign finance

tions in radio and TV, and also claims there is no specific policy for this. Article 54 is a bit vague,” said Ana Claudia Mielke. The interpretation of the collective is that the concession of radio and TV for political contravention of article 54. “We entered with the Accusation of Breach of Fundamental Precept in Supreme Court in 2011. The opinion of the Supreme Court was that there were procedural problems in our accusation and therefore could not judge it, but they pointed to the agreement with the merits of the action and we’re rewriting to present it again,” said Mielke.

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Proportional candidatures Current System: The party conventions define proportional candidates (aldermen, state representatives and congressmen). Reforms: The party list would rank the candidates according to the votes obtained in the conventions. The voter would vote in the legend, and the elect would be best placed on the list.

Gender equality Current System: No regulation is in place. Reforms: The parties would have to ensure parity between men and women in the composition of their lists.

Proportional coalitions Current System: Votes obtained by all the parties that make up a coalition are counted. The most voted are elected among the coalition parties. In each state or city any party can coalesce with each other, even if they have different programs. Reforms: Coalitions for proportional elections would not be alowed. Each candidate would depend solely on their own votes.

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Participatory democracy Current System: Only Congress can call referendums and plebiscites. Reforms: Bills of initiative organised society could be subjected to a plebiscite or referendum.


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BRAZIL IN UK

BRAZIL’S FUTURE LEADERS TO STUDY IN THE UK

As Brazilian students participating in the Chevening Program prepare to arrive in the UK next month to start their Masters Degrees Brasil Observer takes a closer look at the scheme that nurtures the leaders of tomorrow

PRESTIGIOUS PROGRAM Chevening is a global program initiated by the UK government that focusses on offering potential leaders in different fields of knowledge the opportunity to complete postgraduate courses in British universities. Created in 1983, the program has acquired prestige around the world and today includes 150 countries. For the 2015/2016 cycle, a total of 1,200 scholarships will be offered to students with exceptional academic records from around the world.

DIVULGATION/BRITISH CONSULATE

Twenty-six Brazilians will travel to the UK in September to start their Masters Degree in the areas of Media, Urban Planning, International Relations and Human Rights, with the help of funding from the Chevening Program. The students were selected by the British government to acquire expertise at the best universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so they can become leaders in their respective areas of study. Before travelling to the UK, the group attended introductory events at British Consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. The objective of these sessions was to provide a space for the exchange of experiences between the new students and those who have already gone through the program. There are now some 1,400 Brazilian Chevening Alumni working in leadership positions throughout Brazil, according to information from the British Consulate.

Farewell to the Chevening Scholars

For promising students looking to study in the UK, registration for 2015/16 Chevening Scholarships, funded by the British government and partner organisations, is open from 1 August until 15 November. Chevening scholarships offer the opportunity to undertake a year-long Master’s degree in any major UK university and cover costs from airline tickets to university fees. They are awarded to students with established or emerging profiles as leaders in their areas which include: politics, business, media, environment and academia. There are over 42,000 Chevening alumni worldwide and together, they form a highly regarded and influential global network. The most prominent South American graduates of the scheme in-

clude Colombian President, Alvaro Uribe Velez, Brazilian Minister of Higher Labour Court, Lelio Bentes, and the Editorial Director of EXAME Magazine, André Lahoz Mendonca Barros.

SELECTION The students are selected by British Embassies and High Commissions in their home country, sometimes in partnership with sponsoring organisations. Those interested in registering can do so online (www.chevening.org) the web site also provides information on requirements and selection criteria for the scholarships.

Candidates for the 2015/16 Chevening Scholarships must have the equivalent of at least a second-class Bachelors degree, undertake an English language proficiency test, have completed at least two years of work experience and must have applied to and received an unconditional offer from a British university. Brazilians who would like to apply to the scheme should be interested in studying for their masters in the following areas: Trade and investment; Business, Economics and Public Administration; Global Security and International Relations; Development Studies; Criminology and Administration for Sports legacy of major sports events.


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PROFILE

Henrique Cazes and his cavaquinho In London to perform with the Clube do Choro UK, one of the most important Brazilian cavaquinho players spoke with Brasil Observer about his music and career, from the origins of choro music and of his instrument of work RÔMULO SEITENFUS

By Guilherme Reis

The setting could very well have been a botequim in Rio de Janeiro. Perhaps Amarelinho, a traditional bar located in Cinelândia, where sambistas used to go for memorable gatherings. However, in reality, the meeting happened in London, more precisely in front of Baker Street station: The Globe pub. After all, at least a (more or less) cold beer was to follow the interview. The conversation was pretty much carioca. Because Henrique Cazes, who was born in the suburban neighbourhood of Meier, in Rio de Janeiro, brings the trademark of the Marvelous City with him: samba, choro and the cavaquinho. Not to mention that those great names that make Rio an oasis of culture invariably arose: Waldir Azevedo, Radames Gnatalli, Joel Nascimento, Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim to stay among those who inspired the character of this interview. It is worth asking, before anything, what brings Henrique Cazes to London. And while we were sitting around two tables, he explained that, upon learning of the 12th Congress of Brasa (Brazilian Studies Association), held between 20 and 23 August at King’s College, he joined business with pleasure - he made contact with the founder of the Clube do Choro UK, Gaio de Lima, with who he had already established a relationship with thanks to flutist Dirceu Leite, who played with the club in 2012. One day before the interview, Henrique and Gaio played at the congress’ opening ceremony, and another mu-

sical encounter between the two had to happen: August 30, in the monthly event promoted by the Clube do Choro UK at The Forge in Camden Town. With Gaio participating in this conversation, I asked Henrique how he would explain to an Englishman what cavaquinho is. “I start talking about the ukulele, that nowadays everyone knows what it is, it is an instrument that is fashionable. Then I ask if they know where the ukele comes from and explain that it comes from an instrument called the cavaquinho, which originally comes from Portugal...” “This creates curiosity and when I play, many people are fascinated because the sound of the cavaquinho is more harmonious, more elaborate, so some say it was a throwback to the ukulele,” Henrique said when recalling the reaction which led for people used to the ukulele in Hawaii. “One important way of speaking of choro music,” he continued, “is to tell the adaptation of European dances.” Rio de Janeiro in the middle of last century was known as the ‘city of pianos’. From the halls of the high bourgeoisie to the living rooms of the middle class, the piano used to play polkas, schottische, mazurka, waltz and other dances from Europe. By adapting these genres, popular musicians have added the Portuguese accent and introduced the common playful side to the music of African influence. Thus a tearful playing style was born - hence the name choro, which means ‘cry’ - which had Joaquim Callado its first exponent.

This was followed by other flutists as Viriato, Luizinho and Patápio Silva. After that came composers like Ernesto Nazareth and Anacleto de Medeiros, who paved the way for when, already in the 1910s, by the hands of genius Pixinguinha, choro gained a definite shape. Then came Jacob do Bandolim, Radames Gnattali, Waldir Azevedo and many others doing the choro to evolve, absorbing influences. The history of choro, incidentally, is an important part of the career of Henrique Cazes, who in 2005 recorded the album Desde que o Choro é Choro (Since Choro is Choro), going through the entire trajectory of rhythm. In addition, in 1998 he launched the book Choro, do Quintal ao Municipal (Choro, from the Backyard to the Theatre), which has become a reference for all who want to study and learn about it. But if the cavaquinho was born in Portugal, why today is it considered a Brazilian instrument? “The Brazilian cavaquinho created its own personality which began to be forged in the music of the last three decades of the 19th century when the radio met the samba; the Brazilian cavaquinho had an opportunity they never had in Portugal, which was the opportunity of professionalization, employing cavaquinho players on radios in Brazil; and not only on national radio, also in regional radio. Each radio had at least one regional group. So why has the cavaquinho developed more in Brazil? Because in Brazil it had a chance in the music business,” Henrique argued.


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THE BEGINNING Likewise the cavaquinho began to develop when it turned into a work tool. Henrique Cazes was taken by the ‘cavaco’ when a job offer came to play at Coisas Nossas group. “Cavaquinho chose me,” he said. Like the vast majority of musicians, early influences came inside the home. “At home my father played guitar and my brothers started playing. I was six years old when I started picking up the first chords on the guitar. My mother always sang the repertoire of Carmen Miranda,

Aracy de Almeida and Elizeth Cardoso Elizeth... We used to play, all the family together, at parties,” he recalled. When the disc Acabou Chorare was released from the band Novos Baianos, Henrique Cazes decided he wanted to learn how to play the cavaquinho. It was the year 1972, Henrique was 13 years old and the sound of the bandolim and cavaquinho on songs like “Brasil Pandeiro” made the young man venture into the new instrument. Still, he preferred the guitar, playing

cavaquinho only in blocks of Carnival. In 1976 came the turning point. Henrique was invited to play cavaquinho professionally in Coisas Nossas group and never stopped. In the first study, he had to learn a vast repertoire of songs by Noel Rosa, who introduced from the beginning to the universe of musical research. In 1980, he joined the Camerata Carioca, where he worked closely with two musicians who influenced him greatly: the bandolim player Joel Nascimento and Maestro Radames

Gnattali. About Camerata, Henrique said “It was totally different because I had to study music”. The soloist career began in 1988 and that same year, he gave perhaps his main contribution to the world of cavaquinho: he launched the Modern School of Cavaquinho method, the most widely used textbook of the instrument. Gaio de Lima, in fact, used this method of learning cavaquinho, although today he has the bandolim - like the cavaquinho, but with four pairs of strings - as his first instrument.

RÔMULO SEITENFUS

I tell my students: What I have to offer, more than knowledge is experience Henrique Cazes with Gaio de Lima

ACADEMY AND LEGACY Aside from cavaquinho player, arranger and producer, Henrique Cazes is also a university professor. “My job as producer was primarily a fall from 2009, so I decided to open a different door and went for a Masters, to become a professor of the university,” he explained. Today, he teaches cavaquinho in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). “I tell my students: What I have to offer, more than knowledge is experience. It is a great amount of experience as you begin to think it’s important to go ahead, both in an informal way as a formalized way within a course at the university. But, above all, is to reach a point in life and run less immediately things, trying to

build something to let this experience to be transformed into an organized knowledge”. This experience has been accumulated in over 100 productions. “I stopped counting when I was 50 years old. But I counted 127 productions between albums with bands, soil albums and albums I was producer or arranger,” Henrique said, who is now 55 years old and still does not feel totally comfortable saying that he is part of the story of choro music. “It’s weird because I actually have a very young spirit. I’m always getting to do something I do not know. I went to do my Masters when I was 50 years. So, while I know I have a huge amount of experience, I’m always getting into something I

do not know, like working with audio, old sounds and working to improve them,” he said. Asked what he considered his most important works, he said: “The Pixinguinha de Bolso album, with Marcello Gonçalves, was very important. We played the repertoire for three years together before recording, so the studio was all very natural. The book Modern School Cavaquinho was also important, but the book on the history of choro ended up having greater meaning to my career; the book came out in 1998 and eventually became a reference for everyone.” Before we closed the interview, Gaio de Lima wanted to know who had learned more: the cavaquinho with bandolim or bando-

lim with cavaquinho? This was the cue for Henrique to close his statements by giving a hint of what may happen in the future. “The bandolim learned from the cavaquinho in Joel Nascimento. Joel with bandolim reproduced what he saw Waldir Azevedo make with the cavaquinho. This thing comes and goes. I, from the point of view of style, have more influence from Jacob do Bandolim than Waldir. Joel picked up the sound of Waldir and the finish of Jacob. When he passed me so I picked up a certain level of maturity. Many people do not understand the value of Joel Nascimento, especially the newer ‘cavaquinistas’, so I’m thinking of making a collection of his songs for the next year.”


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FRONT PAGE

VALTER CAMPANATO/AGÊNCIA BRASIL

The PSB announces that Marina Silva will run for president with Beto Albuquerque as her running mate

The entrance of Marina Silva in the race for Brazil’s Presidency makes a second round of elections likely and can end the polarisation between the Workers and Social Democracy parties. However doubts have emerged as to who Silva really represents apart from protest voters By Wagner de Alcântara Aragão

Until a few weeks ago, the campaigns for the 2014 presidential in Brazil were following the familiar path of polarisation that has characterised the electoral process for 20 years ago, but a tragic accident has caused sufficient changes to the race. It is too early to know whether the current president Dilma Rousseff has lost the majority of support, but it has become apparently clear that the race will be more hotly chased. The announcement of Marina Silva’s candidature for the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), to take over from running mate Eduardo Campos has altered the path of the election. Eduardo Campos and six other passengers were killed when their private crashed in Santos, São Paulo coast, on 13 August. Although the plane landed in a populated neighbourhood, thankfully there were no deaths on the ground. In the case of death a candidate, Brazilian electoral law allows them to be

replaced until the eve of the vote. After the tragedy, the coalition of Eduardo Campos (formed by PSB and five other parties) had ten days to register with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) the new name. On 20 August, the PSB publicly confirmed that Marina Silva would be running and Congressman Beto Albuquerque, who was running for Senate, would take her place as potential vice president. Even before the PSB formalise the new candidate, a poll by Datafolha, published on 18 August, signalled that the entrance of Marina Silva would cause very significant alteration in the race for Brazil’s top job. According to the opinion poll, the announcement of Marina Silva as candidate saw a surge in public support for the PSB, with 21% of voter intentions, putting her in second place, ahead of Aécio Neves (Brazilian Social Democracy Party PSDB), with 20%. This is a steep rise from previous

polls, a month before when Eduardo Campos received only 8%. The entrance of Marina Silva has also increased the inevitability of second round of elections. Until then, Dilma Rousseff had 36% of the vote, enough to win in the first round on 5 October. The Datafolha research indicates that for voters, Silva represents a possible third way, an option beyond the polarisation between the Workers Party-PT versus PSDB, the feud that dominated the national political scene since the 1994. Rather than taking voters away from Rousseff or Neves, the poll shows that Silva’s gaining support from voters who were previously undecided or those willing to spoil their votes. Datafolha research before the tragedy, put null or blank votes, at 13% with a further 14% were undecided. On August 18, Dilma, Aécio and Pastor Everaldo maintained their same percentages but remarkably, null votes dropped to 8% and undecided to 9%.


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DOUBTS

PARTY SUPPORT

While these results are promising for the PSB, it remains unclear who exactly Silva represents with this ‘third way’. Judging by the numbers released by Datafolha, Silva seems to be attracting those dissatisfied with the existence of only two viable options and dissatisfied with politics in general. In which direction are these dissatisfied heading or intending to head? What direction does Marina Silva intend to take her campaign? And, more than that how would Silva govern if she were to be elected? Having come from humble beginnings, Marina Silva has had an impressive political career and this will be her second presidential campaign (read about her political career on pages 12 and 13). In 2010, she came third, with just under 20% of the valid votes when she ran for Brazil’s Green Party. Silva used to be part of the Workers Party and held the post of Environment Minister for most of Lula’s term in office government (2003-2010). In this role she was opposed to development represented by large infrastructure projects and clashed with Rousseff who was Energy Minister at the same time. Silva has also openly criticised Agribusiness and as a result attracts, considerable support among the portion of society interested in sustainability. Some wonder how she could balance these environmental concerns with Brazil’s economic needs if she were elected. In regard to foreign policy is also not clear to voters exactly what Silva’s third way would mean. She has already given statements that go against the option of governments of Lula and Rousseff which prioritise Latin American integration, for example. Aécio Neves, in turn, has reiterated that it will interrupt this process by dubbing it “ideological”. Doubts at this point may seem hasty. After all, Marina Silva has only just been officially confirmed in the race. The recent past, however, contributes to sow uncertainty as even in her 2010 campaign, her policy on issues outside of the environment also remained unclear. In the second round, where Rousseff beat Jose Serra (PSDB), Marina, then the Green Party (PV), chose to stay independent rather than forming a coalition. Exactly what she thinks about the big discussions is still uncertain. her “development with sustainability” often cited concept is too abstract and wide to understand the positioning of the new candidate on practical issues.

To build upon the 20% of votes she won in 2010 and rise in the polls, Marina Silva will need to erase those doubts to attract new voters, but this is not her only challenge. The candidate also needs to ensure confidence and support within her own party. Although the name of Marina Silva has naturally arisen to replace Eduardo Campos, even in his death internal resistance to the former senator was - and still is - considerable. Marina Silva joined the PSB after her goal to establish her own party, called the Sustainability Network failed to obtain the minimum support and meet the legal requirements to be registered. Surprisingly at the last minute and, she and key allies in the formation of the Network migrated to the PSB, making it clear, however, that they would leave as soon as they succeeded in founding their new party in 2015.

For the PSB, a traditional leftist party that has moved to the centre and increasingly approaches the centre-right, a victory for Marina Silva does not mean that the party would keep the Presidency. The aforementioned condition of her join in was maintained in the agreement that named her as substitute for Eduardo Campos. So, if elected Silva could switch to the Sustainability Network Party and remain in her role as President. Another complication involving Marina is in state alliances, such as São Paulo, where the PSB are allied to the right wing PSDB, which does not appeal to the presidential candidate. It was agreed that all agreements previously sewn by Eduardo Campos would be kept, but Silva has no obligation to climb on the podium with the campaign that she doesn’t want. Her vice Beto Albuquerque will be in charge of this.

This has led to internal tensions for the PSB coalition. The coordinator of Eduardo Campos’ campaign and Secretary-General of the PSB, Carlos Siqueira, declined to continue in his role for Silva. Silva wanted him replaced with Walter Feldman, from her Network group however, the PSB, chose the more progressive Congresswoman Luiza Erundina. As for the other parties, for now, the PT and the PSDB, have maintained the status quo. In the early radio and television tributes dedicated to Eduardo Campos they tried to act repeat the familiar polarisation between the two legends. The advertising Dilma Rousseff compares development ally to social policies of the PT with eight years of neoliberal government of PSDB. This, in turn, sees the pessimistic speech about the country, touted by mainstream media in recent times repeated and presents the so-called “management shock” as a flag.

BRAZILIAN ELECTION DEBATED IN LONDON The current political situation in Brazil was one of the topics discussed during the 12th Congress of Brasa (Brazilian Studies Association), held 20-23 August at King’s College, London.

vote, on account of death of Eduardo Campos, the green vote, ie, those who believe in the sustainability agenda, and the vote of the streets, which comes from dissatisfaction brought out the protests of June 2013.”

Dilma Rousseff and Aécio Neves could campaigning negatively towards Marina Silva. Pointing out the contradictions of the new candidate will not favour PT or PSDB campaign for the presidency.

Meneguello also said the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) is in serious danger with Marina because she does not represent the project that the party has built up over the last few years, especially in the Northeast, where Eduardo Campos had strong influence as he was governor of Pernambuco between For Rachael Meneguello, the 2007-2014. rise in voter intentions for Marina Silva have three different Tim Power, meanwhile, said origins: “There is the emotional he found it difficult to see how

In addition to discussing the electoral contest itself, both presented a series of data showing the consolidation of Brazilian democracy in the last decade, in addition to highlighting the essential role that President Lula played in this process. Both panellists also agreed with the fact that the unconditional support of the former president for Dilma Rousseff has been the key role in her maintenance of any majority in voter intentions.

On Friday (22), Anthony Pereira, director of the Brazil Institute at the university, chaired the discussion that included Tim Power, director of the Program for Brazilian Studies at University of Oxford, and Rachael Meneguello, director of the Center for Studies of Public Opinion in State University of Campinas.


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2014 ELECTIONS

THE POSSIBLE THIRD VIA Continuing the series on the five major candidates for the presidency, Brasil Observer presents Marina Silva, who placed third in 2010 and can reach the second round in 2014

Marina Silva was born in Breu Velho, in the rubber plantation of Bagaço, 70 kilometers from the northern state capital city Rio Branco, on 8 February 1958. Her birth name was Maria but, due to the difficulty that her ten brothers, relatives and friends had in pronouncing the name, she became known as Marina. From the ages of 1015, the daughter of rubber trapper Pedro Augusto da Silva and housewife Maria Augusta da Silva worked extracting latex from rubber to help her father pay his debt. She

lost her mother at the age of 15. That same year she moved to the capital to work as a maid and study, as she was illiterate. She wanted to be a nun, but abandoned the idea because of the social struggle. She later became evangelical. During the period working on a rubber plantation she survived five bouts of malaria, in addition to cases of hepatitis and metal poisoning. When she was living in Rio Branco she once again proved that she was a fighter, as despite only just gaining

literacy, she managed to graduate in history at the age of 26, whilst still engaging in politics around the preservation of the Amazon Forest. In 1984, she helped Chico Mendes to found the Central of Workers of Acre. Beside him Marina stood in an election for federal deputy, but lost. Marina has been married twice. From the first, she has two sons. Her second current marriage is to the agricultural technician Fábio Vaz de Lima, with whom she has two daughters.

POLITICAL CAREER

creation of the Protected Areas Program for the Amazon region saw Marina awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Award of the international NGO WWF. She was also remembered by Prince Albert II’s Monaco Foundation and received the award for climate change for her work in the environmental area and the initiatives to create sustainable development. At the end of 2007, The Guardian newspaper included the then Minister of the Environment of Brazil among the 50 people who can help to save the planet. But Marina has had setbacks as Environment Minister. She lost the fight against the use of GMOs and against the construction of the Angra 3 nuclear plant, besides failing to approve the National Technical Commission on Biosafety.

The first poll after the death of Campos pointed Marina with 21% of voters’ intentions. That means she would be ahead of the Brazilian Social Democrat Party (PSDB) candidate, Aécio Neves. And, in a likely second round between her and President Dilma Rousseff, Marina would have 47% of the preference, which produces a technical tie between the two. That’s why Marina, who always presented herself as third choice - by running away from bipartisanship between PT and PSDB – represents today an alternative with real chances to win.

By Claudia Ribeiro

By joining the Workers Party (PT), in 1985, the political future of the former rubber tapper was clear. In 1988, a girl of frail and simple ways was elected councilwoman after receiving the most votes in that election in Rio Branco. In the same year, Chico Mendes was murdered. Later, in 1990, she was elected state representative, with significant votes. At 36, in 1995, she was elected senator - the youngest person to hold the position in the country - being re-elected in 2002. In 2003, Marina was invited by president Lula to take over the Ministry of Environment. There she stood advocating environmental causes and a major achievement as minister was the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Development of the Amazon, which had an integrated effort among 14 ministries. With the project, the pace of deforestation in the Amazon fell 57% in three years, decreasing from 27,000 km² to 11,000 km² per year. About 1,500 companies operating illegally were extinguished with the arrest of at least 700 people and about one million cubic meters of timber seized. Marina structured the ministry, advocating the strengthening of the environment national system, putting environmental issues as government policy, not just as an isolated subject. She managed to protect fish from the Rio Madeira and reduce by eight times the size of the lake of the Rio Madeira, with turbines used in order to prevent the flooding of nearby areas. This meant that Marina had prominence within and outside Brazil, so much that she has won dozens of awards such as the Champions of the Earth from the UN, awarded for her fight to protect the Amazon Forest. The

CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT After the re-election of president Lula in 2006, Marina went on to have disagreements with the PT government and left office in 2008. In 2009, she changed PT for the Green Party (PV) to launch her candidacy for president. Defeated at the polls, had a remarkable participation in the election, placing third with nearly twenty million votes, or 19.33% of the valid votes in that presidential election. In 2013, she founded a new party, the Sustainability Network, but without getting enough signatures ended joining the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) to run for vice president alongside Eduardo Campos. After the tragic death of the candidate, Marina was nominated by the party as a successor for the dispute.

REFLECTIONS Last year, Marina was elected by Epoca magazine within the 100 most influential figures in Brazil and eventually included in a list drawn up by BBC Brasil, among 10 Brazilians that were big news around the world. 2014 has been no different and, again, Marina Silva is printed on pages and pages of newspapers, websites and magazines. In an interview with Terra portal, shortly after the first round of the election of 2010, Marina Silva reflected on the trajectory: “I have always been making seemingly impossible choices. But I feel it was worth leaving that family, unable to look back, holding off crying inside the bus until it was dark so I could cry and no one saw. Today I can smile and say that those tears sow a lot of hope for me, for my family and for the ideals in which I believe. The destination is not offered by anyone. It is we who have to build our history. Are we that we can afford to support one another and to be sustained, to listen and to be listened to, to understand and to be understood.”


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MAIN PROPOSALS OF MARINA SILVA Until the time of writing, the government plan of Marina Silva was scheduled to be officially announced on Friday, August 29th, but the candidate of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) has said she will keep the proposals made in conjunction with Eduardo Campos.

Marina also think there should be free-floating exchange rate, therefore, to let the real float freely against the dollar, Brazil can adapt more easily to changes in the global economy, balancing between the foreign trade and the domestic demand.

The ones that have been disclosed are deploying public schools full-time, free pass for students in public transport, increased resources for health to 10% of federal revenues, the crack-down on violence, maintaining the purchasing power of the people by enforcing a minimum wage and to multiply tenfold the security budget. Lastly, a bold promise: to bring the current inflation down to 4% in 2016, reaching 3% by 2019 and that, due to economists, is only possible with drastic cuts in public spending.

Another proposal in the economic area of Marina Silva is the correction of administered prices. For her, ending the policy that has limited the rise in regulated prices would bring relief to the federal budget and state companies. An example of what is happening in the current government in an effort to control inflation is that the authorities have subsidized gasoline prices and electricity. The result has been losses to Petrobras, a crisis in the ethanol and costly aid for generating energy industry, according to Marina campaign.

The government program of PSB was prepared with the help of technicians, scholars, scientists, activists of social movements and individuals who have participated in governments. The proposals are based on a guidelines document, divided into five categories: State and High Intensity Democracy; Economy for Sustainable Development; Education, Culture and Innovation; Social Policies and Quality of Life; New Urbanism and the Pact for Life.

The shaft that comes from quality of life and social policies, without citing any specific program, the coalition supports the continuity of the actions of Lula and that were deepened with Dilma.

LE O

RIT

EB OD DR

AN

The axis New Urbanism and the Pact for Life, the candidate proposes a priority investment in public transportation and its different modes, which forces the government to rethink how to treat automobile use and locomotion and interaction with the media not motorized. One faces thus environmental pollution which The economic area was divided into themes is a major urban problem. such as the Industrial Policy for Adding Value, Knowledge Economy and Innovation, Research In Education, Culture and Innovation axis, the and Technological Innovation and Local Pro- emphasis is on the creation of a free pass in ductive Arrangements, among others, which all public schools, the need to eradicate illialso involve the autonomy of the Central Bank teracy and absolute advance in overcoming and a commitment to try to take inflation to functional illiteracy. Marina also advocates the target, gaining credibility and reducing the articulation of social, educational and health care policies for the families of higher long-term expectations for inflation. social vulnerability. Another issue is defended by the candidate more fiscal discipline, which requires tighte- Many of the ideas were shared by Marina and ning the budget expenditures of the Union to Eduardo Campos and the members of the cogenerate primary surplus, which is the eco- ordination of the campaign. So, they managed nomy that the government does to pay debt to put on the government plan the desires of interest, ease inflationary pressures and the both. For Eduardo Campos was possible deneed for the Central Bank keep the benchmark velopment with respect for the environment and inclusion. A concept of the last century interest rate at a high level. seemed to say: “Or we had development or The current inflation target is 4.5% per year, had respect for nature.� Today, the two can with a tolerance of two percentage points up be together in a single government program or down. The economic team that advises that has the inclusion of the poor as one of the Marina says the Central Bank in the Rousseff centres of the goal. Marina Silva and Eduardo administration has been negligent in allowing Campos were not just running mates. Were inflation to remain at 6.5%, top of target. allied in thought.


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CONECTANDO

RESIGNIFYING REPUBLIC The following is an account of the temporary autonomous zone built by collectives and social movements in Rio de Janeiro, and what they think about the new world possible By Mídia NINJA

cies initiated in the management of Gilberto Gil at the Ministry of Culture. The movement part of the culture to build processing possibilities. Gil, who spent an afternoon talking in the Republic, called attention to the continuity of a historical struggle: “They asked me what I was going to do here today, I answered I’m going there to see me again.” Among the experiences fostered during the administration of Gil, is the experience of democratization of digital culture and free software as a territory of connection and communication of cultures. With the appreciation of cultural production that forms part of the territorial and social peripheries of Brazil, articulated by the Points of Culture policy and subsequently by the Community Living Culture Law. The network started in Brazil and now has a dynamic connection with movements throughout Latin America. It assumes that culture cannot be understood as entertainment, but must take an anthropological perspective to be able to think about the state. This system, as Gil says, is “insured by economic forces, but is corroded internally and does not account for the desires and needs of society.” Structural reform of the media was one of the topics of discussions with some of the most important names from the new media of Brazil. The challenges of ensuring freedom, diversity and plurality in a communication system that is emancipator, that would enable the continuous construction of new narratives, were discussed. The issue of media regulation in the country has emerged as one of

the main challenges in the current context, where the media has a degree of concentration of the worst in the world, both in production and in the transmission, which is a serious problem to the democratization. Another major topic of concern is the challenge of regulating the Internet Civil Mark, one of the internet’s most progressive laws in the world, approved in Brazil after a broad process of social mobilization. Claudio Prado, cultural producer at the centre of debate since the 1960s counterculture, during the debates in the Republic stressed the importance of seeking new ways of expression and action: “We live today at the crossroads of world, the civilizing process. The last 200 years has it all wrong if we look from the perception of the planet. We need to find out what it is for our intelligence!” Starting from the practice of turning precariousness in power, the way were built many of the participant collective networks at the Republic, lever up an idea of Latin America and Africa as regions that can teach a lot to the world, from recombination of hacks - proposing new solutions. Reverses the logic of the current system which is first necessary to have all the means to do after the revolution. In the Republic, the prevailing belief in the transforming action and precariousness as an opportunity to develop a new possible. Some say that a true Republic is impossible. There are also ones moving the joy of meetings, guided by an endless hope. Thanks to these new springs sure to come is that was lifted the Republic.

MÍDIA NINJA

In June 2013, Brazil witnessed a major uprising, no longer driven by traditional political forces. Many wondered what was going on, and the search for new institutions and forms of action remains in motion. Facing the emergence of our times, in the midst of a crisis of civilization, a meeting bringing together cultural, social movements, collective of independent media, art and culture, as well as independent activists and philosophers from Latin America sought to rethink the process in course. Republic: what is of the people. The Republic was organized as a temporary autonomous zone, an occupation that took place in the city of Rio de Janeiro from August 3-10, from a desire to connect intelligences, persons and actions. The word republic comes from the Latin, respublica: res (thing) publica (of the people). We started from the idea of republic as a revolutionary concept, before being an institutional concept, and hence the need to be reappropriated in the sense of understanding of a progressive and libertarian form, rather than a conservative vision. Among the movements gathered, there was recognition of the centrality of culture in the new hegemony dispute of society. The movement of the belief that building a new world goes through political and economic reform of the hegemonic power system in Brazil, that despite the progress made during the Lula government, is still one of the most unequal countries in the world, and is inspired by the restructuring of political-cultural networks driven by poli-

The meeting promoted a series of debates. For more pictures go to: www.flickr.com/photos/midianinja

HOW TO PARTICIPATE? Conectando is a project developed by the Brasil Observer that aims to put into practice the concept of ‘glocal’ communication, helping a local story find a global audience of readers. You can be involved too, just send your story to us! Find out how to get involved by contacting conectando@brasilobserver.co.uk


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Brasil Observer

GUIDE DIVULGATION

NIGHT OF IDEAS

Inspired by La Nuit de la Philosophie / My Night with Philosophers, CASA Latin American Theatre Festival announces the first all night celebration of Latin American culture in the heart of East London. >> Read on pages 16 and 17

Inspirados pelo recital La Nuit de la Philosophie / My Night with Philosophers, CASA Latin American Theatre Festival anuncia a primeira noite totalmente dedicada a cultura latino-americana. >> Leia nas pรกginas 16 e 17


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LATIN AMERICAN CELEBRATION FROM DUSK TILL DAWN CASA of Night Ideas is an arts event packed with activities, lectures, debates, films, documentaries and music. We’re delighted to be offering two pairs of free tickets to Brasil Observer readers By Gabriela Lobianco

The CASA Latin American Theatre Festival, known simply CASA was created in 2007 with the goal of bringing the best theatre companies in Latin America to the UK, The organisation also promotes the interaction of the local Latin American community through theatre. The annual festival of CASA, which means ‘house’, will take place in October 2014, the company have also organised a unique arts event CASA Night of Ideas that will take place next month. As the name suggests, this will be a night-long event filled with activities related to Latin America, and will be held on 13 September from 6PM to 6AM the next day in the Rose Lipman community project space in de Beauvoir Town, Hackney. The Night of Ideas will include lectures, discussions, films, documentaries, readings, poetry, music and traditional board games, among other activities, that honour the richness and diversity of Latin American culture through interaction. For Daniel Goldman, artistic director of CASA, “it is a night to celebrate Latin American thought. The ideas is to create a space to celebrate the ideas with a big I by having an amazing time together and making it to breakfast to see another sunrise.”

CONCEPT The idea of the event was inspired by London’s Institute Francais’ events La Philosophie de la Nuit / My Night with Philosophers. These are durational soirees with artists and the public replicating the interactions that once filled French salons. The purpose is to encourage ‘enlightened’ cultural society and exchange experiences on research and artistic movements of literature and music, all washed down with champagne and wine. Now CASA want to try and reproduce this within the Latin American community and public. For Johana Zuleta who has partnered with the CASA Night of Ideas, “What is most appealing to me is the interaction and interdisciplinary play between artists, writers, thinkers, architects and academics, all with an interest in different aspects of Latin American culture and life. “You don’t need to be a con-

noisseur to come and join, but I’ll guarantee, you will become an enthusiast! Remember that ideas are the aphrodisiac of the mind, and can seduce you, so what better than a Latin night together?” she added.

ATTRACTIONS Promising bold opinions, new ideas and debate, the event’s panel discussions range from Latin American sexuality to drugs and immigration, plus Brazilian footballing honour to art, literature and politics. The stellar line-up of speakers includes pianist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Alberto Portugheis; Telegraph journalist and critic Alastair Smart; author of What if Latin America ruled the World? Oscar GuardiolaRivera; BBC Mundo football expert Marcelo Justo; writer, philanthropist and member of the British Royalty Lady Ella Windsor; sex therapist Dru Lawson; award-winning Omar Castañeda and artist Ricardo Cinalli. A special late-night film programme includes a showcase of features in association with film distributor Network Releasing, includes Amat Escalante’s Cannes Award-winning HELI (2013), plus short films and contemporary documentaries covering a range of topics from the Chilean student uprisings to Venezuela’s Hip Hop Revolución movement. There will also be live music including Argentine singer-songwriting trio Tres Argentinas; an introduction to the history of Salsa by DJ Goobi followed by a unique Soulsa (Salsameets-Soul) DJ set; plus a LatAm beats mash-up by DJ Cal Jader and Movimientos. Alongside the public programme there will be the official launch of the upcoming 2014 CASA Latin American Theatre Festival programme. This year’s festival runs from 10-19 October at the Barbican, Rich Mix and the Rose Lipman Building and is CASA’s biggest programme to date. For those looking to get involved with the Latin American culture, the CASA Night of Ideas is an unmissable event tickets cost £5 and are available online in advance. Brasil Observer will be giving away two pairs of tickets, for your chance to win, just keep an eye on our Facebook page (/brasilobserver) and Twitter feed (@brasilobserver) for details of the competition.


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CELEBRAÇÃO LATINO-AMERICANA ATÉ O AMANHECER DIVULGATION

Highlights include Amat Escalante’s Cannes Award-winning HELI (1), Argentine singersongwriting trio Tres Argentinas (2) and a LatAm beats mash-up by DJ Cal Jader (3)

CASA Latin American Theatre Festival, ou simplesmente CASA, é uma organização criada em 2007 com o objetivo de trazer para o Reino Unido as melhores companhias de teatro da América Latina, além de promover a interação da comunidade latino-americana local através do teatro. Em 2014, o festival anual do CASA acontece de 10 a 19 de outubro, mas antes disso há uma novidade: CASA Night of Ideas. Como o nome supõe, será um noitão repleto de atividades ligadas à América Latina, que acontecerá em 13 de setembro das 6pm as 6am do dia seguinte no icônico prédio do Rose Lipman, em Londres. O evento contará com palestras, debates, filmes, documentários, leituras, poesia, música e jogos de tabuleiro tradicionais, entre outras atividades, com o intuito de celebrar a riqueza e a diversidade da cultura latino-americana por meio de interação e gincanas. Para Daniel Goldman, diretor artístico do CASA, trata-se de “uma noite para celebrar o pensamento latino-americano, se divertindo até a hora do café da manhã para apreciar mais um amanhecer”.

CONCEITO A ideia do evento teve inspiração no recital La Nuit de la Philosophie / My Night with Philosophers. Os saraus – reuniões de artistas nos moldes dos salões franceses –, regados a champanhe e vinhos, tinham como propósito o convívio de pessoas “iluminadas” cultural e financeiramente para trocar experiências sobre estudos e movimentos artísticos de literatura e música. Essa efervescência cultural é semelhante ao tipo de busca dos organizadores do CASA. Para a parceira do CASA Night of Ideas, Johana Zuleta, “o mais atraente é o jogo e interação interdisciplinar entre artistas, escritores, pensadores, arquitetos e acadêmicos, todos com interesse em diferentes aspectos da vida e cultura latinoamericana”.

ATRAÇÕES Com a intenção de promover novas ideias e opiniões, haverá debates sobre diversas questões latinoamericanas nas áreas de sexualidade,

drogas e imigração, além de um olhar sobre o futebol brasileiro e suas relações com a arte, a literatura e a política. Entre os palestrantes estão o pianista Alberto Portugheis; o jornalista e crítico do jornal Telegraph Alastair Smart; o autor do livro What If Latin America ruled the World?, Oscar Guardiola-Rivera; e o especialista em futebol da BBC Mundo Marcelo Justo, entre outros participantes. Já a programação cinematográfica inclui a apresentação de longas-metragens em parceria com a distribuidora Network Releasing, como o filme mexicano Heli, de Amat Escalante, que foi premiado como melhor diretor no festival de Cannes em 2013, além de curtasmetragens e documentários sobre questões que vão dos protestos estudantis no Chile até a revolução do movimento hip-hop na Venezuela. A parte musical contará com o trio Tres Argentinas; com uma introdução à história da Salsa pelo DJ Goobi; e uma seleção musical afinada pelas batidas latinoamericanas do DJ Cal Jader. Durante o evento, será feito o lançamento oficial da programação da edição 2014 do CASA Latin American Theatre Festival, que acontece de 10 e 19 de outubro no Barbican, Rich Mix e Rose Lipman. Para quem procura se envolver com a cultura latino-americana, o CASA Night of Ideas é um evento imperdível. E o Brasil Observer vai sortear dois pares de ingressos: é só ficar de olho em nossas páginas do Facebook (/brasilobserver) e Twitter (@brasilobserver).

CASA NIGHT OF IDEAS When: 13 September Where: Rose Lipman Building 43 De Beauvoir Rd, London N1 5SQ Tickets: £5.00 Includes free coffee all night and breakfast at 6am Booking: www.casafestival.org.uk

CASA Night of Ideas será um noitão repleto de atividades, com palestras, debates, filmes, documentários e muita música; e o Brasil Observer vai sortear dois pares de ingressos Por Gabriela Lobianco


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NINETEEN EIGHT-FOUR REPRODUCTION

PAID SEX ON PAID TV By Ricardo Somera

“O Negócio” protagonists

SEXO PAGO NA TV PAGA By Ricardo Somera

No último dia 24, estreou na HBO Brasil a segunda temporada de “O Negócio”, série que retrata o mundo da prostituição de luxo em São Paulo. O seriado, apesar do tema central, não se trata apenas de belas mulheres em cenas proibidas para menores. O diferencial são as estratégias empregadas para que o negócio dê certo. g

As protagonistas Karin (Rafaela Mandelli), Luna (Juliana Schalch) e Magali (Michelle Batista) usam técnicas de marketing para atrair seus clientes e surpreendentemente alcançam sucesso, desbancando os principais bookers da cidade (eufemismo para cafetão). Além dos dramas pessoais, há também os conflitos empresariais. Após o sucesso do negócio, na nova temporada as

garotas vão ter que enfrentar outros problemas de mercado, como a pirataria. A nova temporada promete 13 excitantes episódios e, além do Brasil, “O Negócio” também será apresentado no México, Uruguai e Argentina. Outra série que teve sua estreia recente e também tem o mundo da prostituição como tema é “A Segunda Vez”, baseado no livro de Marcelo Rubens Paiva “A

Segunda Vez que te Conheci”. O protagonista é Raul (Marcos Palmeira), que, após perder o emprego e sua segunda mulher, muda-se para um flat de um amigo e começa a conviver com suas vizinhas que são garotas de programa. Para se tornar o cafetão delas e mudar radicalmente sua vida, é um passo. Drogas, sexo e diversão na visão do escritor de “Feliz Ano Velho”.

Gostou do tema? Procure pelas séries “Oscar Freire 279” (Multishow), com Maria Ribeiro, e “Hung” (HBO), sobre um cara bem dotado que decide ganhar a vida como gigolô. E escreva para @souricardo

On 24 August, the second season of O Negócio (The Business), a series that portrays the underworld of high end prostitution in São Paulo debuted on HBO Brazil. Despite the central theme, The show is not just about beautiful women in various stages of undress and scenes unsuitable for children. The show also presents the strategies they employed to deal with their work. The protagonists Karin (Rafaela Mandelli), Luna (Juliana Schalch) and Magali (Michelle Batista) use marketing techniques to attract customers and are surprisingly successful, beating the city’s main bookers (euphemism for pimp). Besides the personal dramas, there are also business conflicts. After the success of business in the first season, the girls will face other market problems such as piracy. The new season promises 13 exciting episodes, O Negócio will also be aired in Mexico, Uruguay and Argentina. Another series that had its debut recently and also has the world of prostitution as its theme is A Segunda Vez (The Second Time), based on the book by Marcelo Rubens Paiva A Segunda Vez que te Conheci (The Second Time I Met You). The protagonist is Raul (Marcos Palmeira), who, after losing his job and his second wife moved into a friend’s flat and starts to hang out with the neighbours who are prostitutes. His life changes even more radically when he becomes their pimp. Drugs, sex and fun led this series.

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Do you like this theme? Look out for the series Oscar Freire 279 (Multishow), with Maria Ribeiro, and Hung (HBO), the U.S. series about a guy who decides earn a living as a gigolo. And write to @souricardo


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GOING OUT DIVULGATION

The Embassy of Brazil and Lucid-ly Productions present a rare collection of 50 photographs by Sir Benjamin Stone. Curated by Rodrigo Orrantia and Pete James from the Stone archive at the Library of Birmingham, the photographs were taken during a Royal Astronomical Society expedition set out to observe a full solar eclipse in the Brazilian Amazon in 1893. Stone also documented his journey by sea to Brazil, photographing the people and places he discovered upon arrival. A keen observer of individuals, Stone captured images that portray different sections of Brazil’s already diverse society towards the end of the nineteenth century.

OBSERVATIONS IN BRAZIL 12 September – 7 November Where Embassy of Brazil, 14-16 Cockspur Street | Tickets Free www.culturalbrazil.org

Where Queen Elizabeth Hall | Tickets £20 £15 £10

Where Barbican | Tickets £9.50

Where Charleston, East Sussex | Tickets £10

>> www.southbankcentre.co.uk

>> www.barbican.org.uk

>> www.charleston.org.uk

YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF BAHIA 17 September

Colin Currie and the Youth Orchestra of Bahia (Brazil’s North-Eastern State) perform new work by Julia Wolfe and Mahler’s First Symphony. Inspired by New York City street beats and the rhythms of American work song, Julia Wolf’es riSE and fLY is a work composed especially for Colin Currie. Borrowing the title from a chain gang work song, Wolfe’s intention is to ‘take Colin to a new place and to bring something earthy and visceral to the orchestra – to break with formality and get down and dirty.’

CITY VISIONS

RIO BRIO

25 September – 9 November

27 September

A season of films, talks and debates, exploring the ways in which cinema has engaged with the phenomenon of the modern city and the experience of urban life. Beginning with the cycle of silent films in the 1920s known as City Symphonies, and extending to current-day representations of life in the over-saturated megalopolises of South America, Africa and China. Special Brazilian Film Screenings on October 5: ‘Precise Poetry - Lina Bo Bardi’s Architecture’, ‘São Paulo, A Metropolitan Symphony’, ‘Oscar Niemeyer – Life is a Breath of Air’, ‘Neighbouring Sounds’ (photo).

Brazil is the destination of the moment and Small Wonder – The Short Story Festival is delighted to be hosting some of its writers. Tatiana Salem Levy (photo) was selected as one of Granta’s Best of Young Brazilian Novelists. Her debut novel, A chave de case, won the São Paolo Prize for Literature and is due for publication in the UK next year. João Gilberto Noll is one of Brazil’s most distinguished and popular authors. He has written nineteen books and won more than ten literary awards. Lucy Greaves won the 2013 Harvill Secker Young Translator’s Prize.

“Desde 1992 servindo a Comunidade Brasileira”

Mudança segura e personalizada! Horário de Atendimento: Segunda a Sexta das 08:00h às 19:00h Sábados das 09:00h às 12:00h Escritórios em Portugal e Espanha: E-mail: info@packandgo.co.uk

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20 brasilobserver.co.uk

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INNOVATIVE BRAZIL Following a worldwide trend, Start-Up Brasil program creates favourable environment for newborn technology-oriented companies and promotes innovation to diversify Brazilian economy >> Pages 10 and 11

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22 brasilobserver.co.uk

NEW CANVAS OVER OLD

LEARNING TO COOK LIKE A BRAZILIAN By Kate Rintoul

Hi my name is Kate and I am completely obsessed with food. I read about it everyday, I cook a meal, usually two from scratch most days when my equally food-focussed boyfriend (which was a major point of attraction for me) doesn’t cook one, I love talking about it and I’ve been known to dream about food on several occasions. Something that I’ve loved experiencing while living in Rio this year is that lots of Brazilians seem to share my passion for food and I can definitely say that all the best meals I’ve eaten here have been cooked in people’s homes, cooked intuitive home cooks with great palates. On one of my first days here I was fascinated by how long one of our friends took to select tomatoes in the supermarket, this was a young student cooking a basic meal after a long day in the sun but she paid so much care and attention to digging through the pile, feeling and scrutinising each red globe made me instantly feel at home, with like minded people in Brazil. Food has definitely been at the heart of a few of the friendships I’ve made here and I’ve loved finding out more about Brazilian cooking so when I read about Cook in Rio - a cookery school in the heart of the city I couldn’t wait to continue my culinary adventure. The classes have been going for five years and are taught by Simone de Almeida, a very experienced chef who mastered her trade in some of Brazil’s most famous kitchens including the iconic Copacabana Palace and restaurants around the world including the US and Germany. I went to the class hoping to learn the secrets of making a good Moqueca and left six hours later with a better understanding of the dish, two new friends, some nutritional tit bits and a vast insight into Brazilian culture. The class took place in a beautiful panelled mezzanine kitchen over Simone’s Italian/Brazilian restaurant Lampadosa. In the heart of Rio’s colonial centre, Cook in Rio

is a wonderful oasis of cookery in an area dominated by business and that can seem a little uninviting to tourists. I have always liked the centre, to me it feels a little bit more real than areas like Ipanema where you are more likely to hear people speaking English than Portuguese. Perhaps it’s because I’m drawn to the creativity of slightly run down areas, or maybe it’s just that being European means the colonial style architecture is more familiar to me but mainly I think it’s because I always feel like a more genuine Brazilian experience is just around the corner in the at times maze like historic centre. Cook in Rio was definitely one of these authentic experiences, chef Simone is a carioca through and through but has also worked in restaurants around the world and shares her experiences and way of seeing her city. I loved hearing her small nuggets of social anthropology like how to tell if someone’s a Brazilian from their shoes and lover - apparently Brazilians always wear closed shoes when there is a little chill in the air and almost always have a partner that looks distinctly different to them as they are so used to mixing up the gene pool. The session was a perfect mix of information and entertainment and Simone’s unique presenting style makes it a special experience. From educating us on very useful cooking tips from the basic like how to chop an onion without crying, to choosing fresh fish, to regaling us with stories of Brazil’s colonial times and relationship advice, Simone was like an oracle of knowledge. It was great to think and chat about all these things while cooking a communal meal with a mix of people from Brazil and abroad and of course with one very captivating chef. If you ever come to Rio, then one of your first stops should be Cook in Rio as you not only get to learn about great Brazilian cookery, but Simone will also take you on an authentic whistle stop tour of Brazilian history and culture, all while you sip Caipirinhas you’ve made yourself and eat cheese - now you can’t do that in a museum.

Class in Cook in Rio


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APRENDENDO A COZINHAR COMO UM BRASILEIRO Por Kate Rintoul

COOK IN RIO Price for a 4-hour class: Roughly £45 (R$180) per person g

The Price includes all food and drinks: Batida de Côco (Coconut alcoholic drink) Aipim Frito (Cassava Sticks) Caipirinha (Brazilian bar drink) Moqueca (Seafood Coconut stew) Farofa (crunchy manioc flour dish) Brazilian Rice (white and moist) g

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www.cookinrio.com

KATE RINTOUL

Olá, meu nome e Kate e sou completamente obcecada por comida. Leio sobre isso todos os dias; cozinho pelo menos uma refeição por dia; duas quando meu namorado, com o mesmo foco em comida que eu (um dos principais pontos de atração para mim), não cozinha uma. Eu amo falar sobre isso e chego até a ter sonhos com comida. Uma das coisas que eu adoro no Rio é que as pessoas parecem compartilhar a minha paixão por comidas. Posso, definitivamente, dizer que as melhores refeições que já comi no Rio foram feitas na casa das pessoas, por cozinheiros intuitivos e com vasto paladar. Nos meus primeiros dias por aqui, fiquei fascinada pelo fato de que uma de nossas amigas utilizava um tempo enorme para escolher tomates no supermercado. Era uma estudante jovem, cozinhando uma refeição básica, depois de um longo dia no sol e, mesmo assim, ela tinha muito cuidado e atenção, cavando através da pilha, sentindo e examinando cada globo vermelho, fazendo eu me sentir em casa, com pessoas inclinadas para este pensamento aqui no Brasil. Comida tem sido o centro de algumas das amizades que fiz aqui. Sempre adorei saber mais sobre culinária brasileira, então quando li sobre o Cook in Rio – uma escola de culinária no coração da cidade –não pude esperar para continuar minha aventura culinária. As aulas acontecem há cinco anos e são ministradas por Simone de Almeida, uma experiente chef que deixou sua marca em algumas das cozinhas mais famosas do Brasil, incluindo a do icônico Copacabana Palace e de outros restaurantes, inclusive nos EUA e na Alemanha. Fui para a aula com a esperança de aprender os segredos para fazer uma boa Moqueca e, seis horas depois, estava entendendo melhor sobre o prato, tinha feito dois novos amigos e aproveitado uma vasta e profunda introspecção dentro da cultura brasileira. As aulas são ministradas num lugar com uma bela cozinha, no mezanino do restaurante de Simone, o Lampadosa. Localizado no coração

do centro colonial da cidade, Cook in Rio é um maravilhoso oásis da gastronomia numa área dominada pelo comércio e que pode parecer pouco convidativa para turistas. Eu sempre gostei mais do centro, pois para mim o local parece mais real do que áreas como Ipanema, onde é mais provável ouvir pessoas falando inglês do que português. Talvez porque eu seja atraída pela criatividade que existe em áreas ligeiramente degradadas, ou talvez por eu ser europeia tenha familiaridade com a arquitetura, mas, principalmente, porque sempre sinto que uma genuína experiência brasileira é simplesmente virar uma esquina num labirinto, como é no centro histórico. Cook in Rio foi definitivamente uma dessas autenticas experiências. A chef Simone é uma carioca de ponta a ponta, mas ela também trabalhou em outros restaurantes em todo o mundo e compartilha suas experiências e maneiras de enxergar a cidade. Eu adorei ouvir seus pitacos sobre antropologia social, como a maneira de falar se alguém é brasileiro pelos sapatos – aparentemente brasileiros sempre usam sapatos fechados quando o ar fica um pouco mais frio. A sessão foi uma combinação perfeita entre informação e entretenimento e, com estilo único de apresentação de Simone, as quatro horas de aula se tornam a experiência especial. Desde educar-nos com dicas de culinária muito básicas, como a forma de cortar uma cebola sem chorar e escolher peixe fresco, até contar histórias de tempos coloniais do Brasil e conselhos de relacionamento. Foi ótimo para pensar e conversar sobre todas essas coisas enquanto cozinhava uma refeição com todos os colegas, com uma mistura de pessoas do Brasil e do exterior e, claro, com uma chef cativante. Se você vier para a Cidade Maravilhosa, uma das suas primeiras paradas deve ser Cook in Rio. Você não vai apenas aprender sobre gastronomia brasileira, mas Simone irá levá-lo a um tour autêntico pela história e cultura brasileira, ao mesmo tempo que saboreia caipirinhas feitas por você mesmo. Não dá para fazer isso no museu!


24 brasilobserver.co.uk

TRAVEL

ANOTHER TOURISM IS POSSIBLE Instead of conventional hotels and seeing a place through the gift shops, rural networks offer free accommodation in exchange for work and provide rich ground for cultural exchange By Taís Gonzalez*

Of all the human activities governed and influenced by the mercantile process, surely the most impoverished one is conventional tourism. The cultural experience and pleasure that could be enjoyed from contact with other landscapes, ethnicities, languages, and ways of seeing the world is sterilised by the intermediation of money. Charmless hotels seek to replicate the atmosphere of bureaucratic comfort, to which they have made visitors accustomed over many years. Tours always cover the same “postcard scenes”. The dialogue with the local population is limited to the purchase of souvenirs. And thanks to a highly competitive flight industry, the environmental consequences of most journeys are dramatic yet never really considered. There is hope however, as an alternative is increasingly becoming popular. It’s cheap and promotes meaningful cultural

Working in return for accommodation on alternative and ecological farms is cheap and promotes intense cultural exchange

OUTRO TURISMO É POSSÍVEL Em vez de hotéis convencionais e relações intermediadas pelo dinheiro, redes propõem hospedagem rural gratuita em troca de trabalho e com vasto intercâmbio cultural Por Taís Gonzalez*

Em poucas atividades humanas o processo mercantil é tão empobrecedor quanto no turismo convencional. A experiência cultural e o prazer que poderiam desenvolver-se a partir do contato com outras geografias, etnias, idiomas, formas de estar e ver o mundo é esterilizada pela intermediação do dinheiro. Hotéis quase sempre padronizados procuram reproduzir a atmosfera de conforto burocrático ao qual o visitante está acostumado. Tours levam sempre aos mesmos “cartões postais”. O diálogo com a população local limita-se à compra de objetos. As consequências ambientais da criação de infraestruturas turísticas são frequentemente dramáticas. Uma alternativa a esta roda-viva está se popularizando com rapidez nos últimos anos. É barata e promove trocas


brasilobserver.co.uk 25

exchanges so a growing number of travellers are choosing to stay at alternative and work on ecological farms, promoted by networks like World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), Growfood, WorkAway and Helpx. Through these organisations, the visitor can enjoy free accommodation on farms, which are mostly run as cooperatives and reject the concept of “agribusiness”. In return for this, visitors work for their hosts, which is also an enriching experience. There are many destinations in dozens of countries worldwide, to choose from including many all over Brazil, including Paraty, Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais. It is not exactly a novelty. The pioneer organisation, WWOOF, first appeared in England in 1971 when Sue Coppard, a London secretary, decided to dedicate part of her time to putting friends in

contact with a biodynamic farm in Sussex. The organisation has been growing ever since and has connected countless hosts and travellers. The emergence and widespread use of the internet, has made it ever more easy for people to find this kind of accommodation anywhere in the world, and new networks have emerged. The process is very simple, for example with www.wwoof.net, you simple become a member, choose your destination, contact the hosts and set the dates and duration of the stay, most farms ask that stays are for at least a week or two. The type of work also depends on the location and type of farm, but could include grape picking, learning about organic crops and helping set up an irrigation system. The working day varies between six and eight hours but it’s important is

to confirm with the owners beforehand how many hours you will have to contribute a day. As you’ll essentially be staying with strangers, it’s worth trying to communicate with hosts a little online first and reading comments from people who have worked with them. Helping farmers and seeing a country from this rare experience is a rare opportunity and provides a truly memorable travel experience and one where the only things exchanged are good will and warmth.

culturais intensas. São as hospedagens em fazendas alternativas e ecológicas, promovidas por redes como a WWOOF (sigla em inglês para Oportunidades Mundiais em Fazendas Orgânicas), Growfood, WorkAway e Helpx. Por meio delas, o visitante hospeda-se de graça em propriedades rurais (quase sempre cooperativas) que rejeitam o conceito de “agrobusiness”. Retribui-se com trabalho, também enriquecedor. Há destinos assim em dezenas de países do mundo, inclusive no Brasil. Não é, propriamente, uma novidade. A WWOOF, pioneira, surgiu na Inglaterra, em 1971, quando Sue Coppard, uma secretária londrina, passou a dedicar parte de seu tempo à tarefa de colocar alguns amigos em contato com uma fazenda biodinâmica em Sussex. A moda pegou e, em alguns

anos, surgiu a Willing Workers on Organic Farms (Trabalhadores Voluntários em Fazendas Orgânicas). Como as autoridades migratórias e sindicatos de alguns países alegavam competição com trabalhadores locais, o nome da rede foi mudado. Com a internet, tornou-se possível buscar hospedagem do gênero em qualquer parte do mundo, e novas redes foram surgindo. Para fazer parte da WWOOF (veja suas iniciativas no Brasil em www.wwoof.net), basta inscrever-se no site, pagando uma anuidade, escolher seu destino e entrar em contato com os anfitriões. Você determina o tempo que quer ficar – a maioria das fazendas pede que a permanência seja de ao menos uma ou duas semanas. O tipo de trabalho também depen-

de do local, mas você poderá colher uvas, aprender sobre culturas orgânicas, ajudar a montar um sistema de irrigação. O tempo de trabalho variar de seis a oito horas. O mais importante é certificar-se com os proprietários, de antemão, quantas horas você terá que contribuir por dia. E, claro, tomar as mesmas precauções que normalmente tomaria ao ficar com estranhos.

OTHER NETWORKS - Growfood (www.growfood.org) – Similar to WWOOF, they offer training to a new generation of sustainable farmers through travel. - Workaway (www.workaway.info) – Established to promote better cultural un-

derstanding, it puts low budget travellers in touch with organisations and individuals looking for a helping hand. - HelpX (www.helpx.net) – Launched in 2001, the service lists farms, inns, hostels and other types of accommodation seeking volunteers for short term in exchange for meal and accommodation site. - CouchSurfing (www.couchsurfing.org) – Online urban hospitality service that is a platform for exchanges between different people and cultures. In 2012, the project reached the milestone of one million members in over 180 countries.

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Taís Gonzalez is a journalist and environmental activist. This text was originally published on Outras Palavras: www.outraspalavras.net.

DIVULGATION

OUTRAS REDES - Growfood (www.growfood.org) – Semelhante à WWOOF, tem como missão treinar uma nova geração de agricultores sustentáveis. - Workaway (www.workaway.info) – Criada para promover melhor compreensão cultural, coloca viajantes de baixo orçamento em contato com orga-

nizações à procura de uma mão amiga. - HelpX (www.helpx.net) – Lançado em 2001, o site lista fazendas, pousadas, albergues e outros tipos de acomodações que procuram voluntários de curto prazo em troca de refeição e alojamento. - CouchSurfing (www.couchsurfing. org) – Serviço de hospitalidade urbana, com base na Internet, tem o objetivo de oferecer intercâmbio entre pessoas e culturas diferentes. Em 2012, o projeto atingiu a marca de um milhão de membros em mais de 180 países.

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Taís Gonzalez é jornalista e ativista socioambiental. Texto publicado originalmente no site Outras Palavras: www.outraspalavras.net.


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