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Abdias do Nascimento was paid homage to at the World Cultural Forum
One of the most important personalities to take part in the World Cultural Forum was the playwright, plastic artist, poet and activist for black people´s movements Abdias do Nascimento.
Abdias was one the founders of the Movement for the Brazilian Black People, important organization which started in São Paulo in 1931 and the Black people´s Experimental Theatre (TEN) in 1944. He was also the Secretary for the Deffence and Promotion of the Afro-Brazilian population in Rio de Janeiro state, Federal Deputy for the same state in 1983 and Federal Senator in 1997. Abdias is also the author of several books such as: "Sortilégio", "Drama for the Black and Prologue for the White "The rebel Black Man", amongst others.
The playwright took part in the World Cultural Forum 2004 in São Paulo on Jone 30, promoted by Seppir, The Brazilian Comission for Justice and Peace and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He organised and took part in events related to campaigns to promote Racial Justice. The first debate was the seminar “A Casa Brasil África”, where discussions covered issues such as the relationship between Brazil and the African continent and the emphasis on countries located in the south of the Sahara region. In the beginning of the event, the intellectual was greeted by a prayer said by the religious leader Mãe Beata de Yemanjá, Iyalorixá do Ilê Omi Oju (from Casa das Àguas dos Olhos de Oxossi). In 2004, Abdias will turn 90 and has been paid homage to all over Brazil. The debate promoted insights on his life and work.
Currently,Abdias is the most important afro-descendent personality on accounts of his outstanding contribution to the cultural and social History of Brazil. He took part in the Revolutions of 1930 and 1932 and in the 30s became member of the Movement for the Brazilian Black People which ended up becoming a political party. As punishment for getting involved in acts of protest against racism in São Paulo, he was arrested and sent to a cell in Carandiru jail in the 40s. There, he created the so called “Theatre of the Convicted” . Everything was reason for criticisms against oppression: their music and their speeches. This initiative was well acclaimed at the time. A fighter, Abidas also took part in protests against Vargas Dictatorship regime during the new state period and was arrested again, this time by the National Security Court. He was also exiled to the Unidted States due to his actions against the militar dictatorship regime.
Abdias has also been nomitaded by the Institute of Racial and Environmental Advocacy as a candidate for the 2004 Nobel Prize for Peace.
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