From the favela to our manor

I was commissioned by People's Palace Projects to write a report on the first major visit to the UK by AfroReggae, a cultural organisation from Brazil that has now developed an ongoing creative relationship with venues, artists and arts workers here.  From the favela to our manor is subtitled Translating AfroReggae and that is what I attempted to do - to pick out the implications of an international intervention in arts work and, specifically, to examine the impact of this company's work with young people at risk in the inner city in London and Manchester.  Prior to its visit, I was lucky enough to be able to meet AfroReggae on its own territory - the favelas of Rio de Janeiro - though that 'territory', of course is notoriously contested by murderous rival drug factions.  That is where my narrative begins.  It ends with this prophetic remark from percussionist Altair Martins, setting the agenda for what is now taking place:

To reach a hundred young people, you start by working with two and they will carry on the work for you.  I didn’t know any of you before I got here but I tried to bring you the energy that I have.  And the energy I gave you, you multiplied it and passed it back to me.  Each of us can pass these ideas on to two other people; those two people to four others; those four to eight more - and it will never stop.  This energy has to be multiplied.

For the latest on AfroReggae's work, including touring, get Google to translate its home site at www.afroreggae.org.br - and catch up with its partnership work here at www.favelatotheworld.org.  For more information on the work of People's Palace Projects, visit www.peoplespalace.org.uk and www.amazonia-london.com.

  

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