Capoeira, the foundation of Brazilian national culture, is an object of ambivalence: between dance, music and combat sport, of African and Brazilian origin, emblem of the raça negra, but also a symbol of white culture under the government of Getúlio Vargas, it is often difficult to classify it, or even to understand its foundations.

A game of movements that tells this Brazilian story, Capoeira unfolds through physical expression and singing, but also through music, with the berimbau, the traditional instrument used in the practice of this art.

The meeting with a teacher (mestre) and capoeira specialist, who practices capoeira, will give a better understanding of its origins, its link with slavery and its plural aspect. This conversation will be interspersed with demonstrations by capoeira dancers.

Between discussions and demonstrations by professional dancers, this event will aim to make people see, hear, decode and even discover this protean Brazilian art that originated from slavery.

The event is free and open to all.

Speakers:

• Mestre Braga

Native of Rio de Janeiro, Mestre Antonio Braga is a member of the famous Angola Capoeira school of Mestre Pastinha, in Salvador de Bahia. He was initiated in 1970 by Mestre Moraes de Salvador. He has already organised training courses and demonstrations not only in Brazil, but also in the United States, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and now in Geneva, where he is based.