The impressive Samwaad - Street of Encounters performance by the Brazilian choreographer and movement expert Ivaldo Bertazzo will be held from 8 to 12 November at the 2005 Holland Dance Festival. It will be performed by more than 50 young, non-professional dancers who are aged between 13 and 28 and come from the slums of São Paulo in Brazil. Bertazzo’s work is based on the belief that dance can increase people’s self-confidence, discipline and respect for others. In 2004 he was granted a Prince Claus Award for his innovative cultural programs that stimulate the talents of young people and create fresh opportunities for both individuals and communities.
Ivaldo Bertazzo has developed a special training scheme for underprivileged young people from the slums of São Paulo. Through dance and movement he helps these youngsters to discover new physical and mental possibilities. His programs challenge them to explore the ways in which movement can reinforce their sense of identity and to live with respect for each other. Bertazzo believes that dance and movement can encourage these young people to find their own place in society. Apart from teaching dance, he also offers his students both education and social assistance, and he emphasises the importance of caring for oneself through hygiene and visits to dentists and doctors.
As a choreographer, dance teacher and movement therapist, Bertazzo’s approach to dance is based on a new perspective. In 1975 he set up the Movement Re-Education School where he specifically focuses on amateurs. Group dynamics form an important aspect of his work. Through dance, young people are able to triumph over fear and limitation by means of relations with others. Bertazzo regards the performances as being the sum total of each and every triumph.
New to Samwaad is the combination of the sounds and rhythms of Brazil and India. These two cultures meet in the setting of a long street with steps. Indian melodies and dance merge with the rhythm of a samba. The music is performed by musicians from the best carnival samba schools of São Paulo.
Since 1997 the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development has presented its annual Prince Claus Awards to artists, thinkers and cultural organisations that are primarily located in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Through these awards, the Fund supports innovation, engagement and perseverance in the field of culture and development. The Prince Claus Fund interprets culture in a broad sense to encompass all kinds of artistic and intellectual disciplines along with science, media, education and sport.
Press Release
Holland Dance Festival
Prince Claus Awards 2004, Ivaldo Bertazzo
Listen to an interview with Ivaldo Bertazzo in 'A Good Life: Prince Claus winners', © Radio Netherlands / Wereldomroep. Broadcasted on 16 Dec. 2005, produced by Ginger da Silva.
Windows Media (64 Kbps)
Realaudio ( 50 Kbps)
Ivaldo Bertazzo and cast from Samwaad - Street of the Encounters, ©Gal Oppido
The Indian dancer Sawani Mudgal with youngsters from seven São Paolo's NGOs presenting Samwaad - Street of Encounters, ©Gal Oppido
