A Tauranga-based Brazilian researcher, author and multidisciplinary artist invites the community to learn the culture of her homeland at the city’s new library next weekend.

Gisela de Castro hopes to strengthen cultural connections between Brazil and New Zealand via free community events celebrating Brazilian Culture and Portuguese Language Week at Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga Library & Community Hub.

De Castro, who is undertaking a PhD in Arts through the Screen and Media Studies programme at the University of Waikato, will lead activities that highlight Brazilian culture, language, music and storytelling while promoting intercultural understanding in the Tauranga community.

“There is no better place to foster such a strong sense of welcome and belonging for the Brazilian community than this beautiful and inclusive library,” she said.

The celebrations begin next Friday, November 6, with a Brazilian-themed Dancing Happy Hour Session from 4pm to 7pm in the new library’s Community Space.

Brazilian musician and DJ Fábio Abu will perform live percussion and play Brazilian dance music. Song lyrics will be projected on screen, encouraging participants to sing along and experience the Portuguese language through music. This event is for CBD workers, students and all families, de Castro said.

Kids’ activities will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 10am to 1pm, featuring a children’s bookmaking workshop, a storytelling session in Portuguese, and a musical instrument-making activity.

The storytelling session will be based on the award-winning children’s book Um Voo Sobre as Capitais Brasileiras (A Flight Over Brazilian Capitals) by Gisela de Castro, published by Zucca Books.

Tauranga-based Brazilian researcher, author and multidisciplinary artist Gisela de Castro wrote award-winning children’s book Um Voo Sobre as Capitais Brasileiras (A Flight Over Brazilian Capitals). Photo / Julio Zucca

“The book uses a puzzle format, with Brazil’s five geographic regions assembling to form a map of the country,” de Castro said.

It also inspired her PhD project, the AFOA.NZ project, which aims to preserve children’s words as they were written, celebrating imagination, identity and the relevance of listening to young voices.

“Children attending the event will have the opportunity to create their own books and build traditional Brazilian percussion shakers, known as ‘chocalhos’,” de Castro said.

The activities will conclude with a mini-Carnaval performance featuring musicians Ed Rizzi and Paulo Brayner.

The storytelling session will be held in the main Children’s Space, while bookmaking and instrument workshops will be in the new Imagination Station. Library youth team members will support the sessions, with de Castro facilitating the cultural programme.

De Castro said Brazil is one of the world’s most culturally and linguistically diverse nations, shaped by indigenous peoples, European settlers mainly from Portugal, African communities, and generations of immigrants from around the globe.

“Although more than 200 languages are spoken across the country, Portuguese remains the principal language and an important cultural connector,” she said.

“One of Brazil’s most recognisable cultural expressions is Carnaval, celebrated through music – especially the world-famous samba – dance, visual arts, literature and performance.

“The programme in Tauranga aims to share that richness with local audiences through accessible, family-friendly experiences.”

In addition, a Brazilian Carnaval Community Display will be shown on level one of Tauranga Library & Community Hub.

Developed in partnership between Te Ao Mārama – Tauranga Libraries & Community Hubs and the Tauranga Moana Brazilian Community, the exhibition will showcase Carnaval-related artefacts and artworks. The display opened this month and runs until December 18.

De Castro said the project had received funding from the Creative Communities Scheme, a Creative New Zealand and Tauranga City Council partnership that supports community participation and cultural diversity in the arts.

Learning of this opportunity, de Castro invited friend Priscila Dozza to take on the role of executive producer and manage the project’s communications and marketing.

“These activities celebrate cultural diversity and create opportunities for people of all ages to connect through creativity, language and shared experiences,” de Castro said.

“We hope the events will bring communities together and help create a welcoming, vibrant and inclusive Tauranga city centre.”

More information about the free community events is at: https://library.tauranga.govt.nz/ or https://www.ocabrasil.co.nz/