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[19|07|04] The Ideas and Opportunities Fair was one of the main highlights of the WCF
 From June 30 to July 03 the World Cultural Forum housed at the West Pavilion - Anhembi Convention Centre(in an area of approximately 7.000 m2 ) the Ideas and Opportunities Fair, a space which was used to promote dialogues, for networking and also to present ideas and distribute the brazilian cultural production.
The Fair also promoted the exchange of knowledge amongst different people and institutions involved in the cultural sector. Around 117 projects were registered at the WCF all grounded in principles of inclusion and cultural diversity , key word of the event.
As meeeting point of the World Cultural Forum, the Ideas and Opportunities Fair had 58 stalls and stands representing Institutions connected to Culture: the State Secretariat for Culture, international bodies. It offered more than 85 different atractions, amongst them, music, poetry, dance, plastic arts, theatre and participations of artists from the circus “Central do Circo” during the whole Fair. The space was opened for spontaneous manifestations at different stalls or around the area of the Fair.
To Maria Helena Alvarez, director of Rede Brasil and general coordinator of the Fair, the main objectives of the project were reached successfuly “the presentation of pieces of work by brazilian artists who were taking part in the Fair was truly satisfactory, I´m sure that our goal was accomplished. We were also able to show inclusion and cultural diversity, the main issue of the whole project ”, she explains.
The Fair presented a variety of different artistc exhibitions by unknown artists and also by renowned brazilian musicians like Toma Sidibé & Naná Vasconcelos, Alzira Espíndola (MS), Pena Branca and Chico Lobo, Berimbrow , amongst others.
A space was dedicated to the exchange of i deas and experiences, produced especially to house debates and discussions. Participants presented 32 pieces of work: book launchs, papers , projects presentations and research. One of the main debates held at this space was Elderly people and Culture, with the presence of Maria Ináh Junqueira Costa as moderator. Cultural Policies and Indigenous Comunities was also one of the topics discussed . The meeting gathered the representative of the Indigenous Comunity of Roraima Fausto Mandulão (Makuxi tribe), the Secretary for Culture of the state of São Paulo Cláudia Costin and UNESCO representative Jurema Machado.
The last day of the Ideas and Opportunities Fair had a typically brazilian programme. During the day, the main stage housed Tarde de Ritmos Olindenses, with the presentations of norhteastern groups , like Maracatu Nação Pernambuco , Afoxé Ylê, de Egbá and Coquistas do Amaro Branco .
The night event was brought to an end by a group of composers from São Paulo,the so called Embassy of São Paulo´s Samba, the ladies Baianas from São Paulo and the percussion team from Nenê de Vila Matilde Samba School. We also had the presence of the singers Colete (Mocidade Alegre), Royce (X-9), and Tobias of Vai-Vai. Then, we had presentations of the flag bearers of São Paulo and Miscigenação, the last group of the night. Around 13367 people attended the Fair in 4 days of the event. |
