Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Angra dos Reis • Angra dos Reis

ATENEU ANGRENSE DE LETRAS E ARTES – AALA

A meeting place for history, literature and art enthusiasts

Denise Constantino

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Writer and historian Alípio Mendes and journalist and poet Brasil dos Reis called on 11 arts and literature enthusiasts to found the Ateneu in 1973, with the mission of preserving, protecting and disclosing history, literature and arts in Angra dos Reis. It has contributed since its foundation by giving value to the local culture, and has sponsored, among other actions, exhibitions, courses, seminars, presentations and contests. Other events such as poetry evenings and literary workshops are also constantly on the agenda.

Ateneu Angrense de Letras e Artes – AALA is an association with 40 academicians who occupy chairs whose patrons were Angra dos Reis residents who stood out in culture, such as for example Raul Pompeia, a 19th century writer. It is a non-profit organization and its members are classed in several ratings: founders, effective, correspondents, honorary and titular.

The entire documentary collection of the town of Angra dos Reis is preserved in the Ateneu, which also has a library open to the public with approximately three thousand books. Many publications contain the town’s history and some of these are unique, not being found in any other library. The collection also includes an art gallery with 30 works by local artists.

Among events held every year, and in addition to the grand festivities that conclude the cultural year, we might mention Concurso de Poesia Brasil dos Reis, Concurso de Pinturas Brasil dos Reis, Concurso de Contos Alípio Mendes, Concurso de Fotografia and Semana Cultural Maestro Galloway. Every year the Ateneu grants a special order – the Colar de Cunhambebe – to two distinguished non-members in the municipality, an honor whose merit should comply with the entity’s principles.

The awarding festivities are usually held in spacious cultural facilities with support from the town hall, Fundação de Cultura de Angra dos Reis – Cultuar and any possible sponsors, and always end up as major events with musical performances, attracting a wide-ranging and lively public, besides the academicians. All of this is on behalf of keeping alive local culture and history.

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