AECTEA Association - Free Volunteer Opportunities in Brazil

Capim Grosso celebrated not only its 25th birthday on May 9th, but also the region's many rich cultural practices.  The weekend saw the culmination of AEC-TEA's Microprojeto project, a government project that allowed us to study all the artistic manifestations we could find, including handicrafts, samba groups, theater projects, and more.  All told, young local volunteers interviewed over 150 local artists, and the information compiled is being turned into presentations and databases that will be made available online soon.

The celebration of these cultural practices was a great success, starting with a parade on Saturday that led theater and circus groups, capoeira groups, marching bands, cowboys, and a few donkeys from the main plaza in the center of town to the city council plaza, where the cultural festival was held.  There, local artisans set up shop to promote and sell local culinary options as well as paintings and handicrafts.  Various groups including samba and capoeira performed in the middle of the stands and up on the stage provided by the city.  Sunday saw a continuation of the celebration with various theater groups from Capim Grosso and surrounding cities performing.

All in all, the event has elicited very positive feedback.  Many people from the city tell AEC-TEA how good it is to have a day that celebrates the local culture of the city, which not only encourages people to value their own abilities and products, but also provides a welcome relief from the usual concerts that mark every major celebration in the city.  AEC-TEA hopes that this approach will become strengthened and that local culture will continue to earn more respect from the people of Capim Grosso.