Cultural activities mark students’ Sunday in Rio

The Sunday (12) of the IMPA Tech students was marked by cultural activities on different stages in Rio de Janeiro. In the morning, the young people attended a presentation by Maré do Amanhã Orchestraat the TotalEnergies Theater in Glória. At the end of the afternoon, the show ” The Centenaries” brought together another group of students at the Carlos Gomes Theatre in the city center. The activities were organized by the NAP (Psychopedagogical Support Center), promoting moments of integration outside the classroom.

The Maré do Amanhã Orchestra is a social project that serves children and young people from the Complexo da Maré, which is considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Rio de Janeiro. At the TotalEnergies Theater, the performance was part of the Conexões. Arte Festival, which featured music, dance and other artistic expressions. The venue is located in the historic Manchete Building, an icon of modern Brazilian architecture, designed by Oscar Niemeyer and landscaped by Burle Marx.

The event marked 18-year-old student Jakeline Agra’s first time in an orchestra and theater. “It was two emotions at once. Music touches you deeply and I think everyone was ecstatic. I had very talented people in front of me and a wonderful sound. I loved that they played various musical rhythms, going from the nostalgic ‘Aquarela’ to some Luiz Gonzaga songs, which made me miss home and my state,” said the young woman from Serrita (PE).

With more than 4,000 students, the Orchestra has toured internationally and performed alongside Brazilian music artists such as Gilberto Gil, Alcione and Anitta. The group has also performed for political and religious leaders, performed on stage at Rock in Rio and paraded at Marquês de Sapucaí alongside the Beija-Flor de Nilópolis samba school.

Following on from Sunday’s program, in the afternoon it was the turn of the show “As Centenárias” to be staged at the João Gomes Theater, one of the most traditional stages in the Marvelous City, with its Art Deco style architecture. The play portrays death with humor and sensitivity, transforming mourning into a matter for laughter and reflection using the format of a musical comedy. The friendship between Socorro and Zaninha – centenarian mourners who make a living from mourning the dead – is the main plot of the play, which explores spirituality and everyday life in the sertão.

“I got involved with the plot and had fun. The acting was very good and the soundtrack really caught my attention. The musicians were exceptional and the set was beautiful. You could see all the effort put into the play,” said student Diogo Ismael Ferreira, 18, from Juazeiro do Norte (CE).

This was the young man’s first time in a musical play. “In my town I didn’t have many options, so I end up going when the opportunity arises. These NAP events are important because as well as being an opportunity for interaction between the students, we can get to know new places in the city and get out of the routine a bit,” added Ferreira.

With original songs composed by Chico César, the show is a new version of the story written by Newton Moreno, directed by Luís Carlos Vasconcelos. The central roles are played by Laila Garin and Juliana Linhares, northeastern actresses who bring to the stage a strong relationship with Brazilian musicality and popular culture. Throughout the plot, the two women revisit memories, dispute affections, exchange confidences and face the constant presence of death.

Both activities are part of IMPA Tech’s cultural program. Every month, the NAP promotes internal and external events to integrate students, whether through cultural shows, discussions on topics of interest to undergraduates or initiatives to welcome students.

For Jakeline, the Center’s actions are a differentiating factor in her degree. “We’re immersed in a ‘new world’, away from our family, in a different region and with people we didn’t know, so adaptation is a very important issue. The activities promoted by the NAP help me not to be oblivious to where I am and are a lot of fun,” she said.