Guia Cultural da Costa Verde

Angra dos Reis • Angra dos Reis

CASA DE CULTURA POETA BRASIL DOS REIS

A victorious milestone for the town’s culture

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The town house that dates back to 1824 used to be a clubhouse and even a snack bar. It was later purchased by a hotel network with a view to its demolition in order to build in its place a high-rise project. By virtue of a cultural movement headed by the Revolucena theater troupe, and supported by the local population that gathered numerous signatures, demolition was avoided and the building was declared a town heritage, as had been other of the town’s historical landmarks. The mayor at the time, João Luiz Gibrail Rocha, expropriated the house and assigned the area to the creation of a cultural center, in a partnership with the State Secretary of Culture and the Town Hall. Following this collective struggle, Casa de Cultura Poeta Brasil dos Reis was finally opened in August 1986 in honor of an important personality of Angra dos Reis and that part of the state. It is reported that this was the first cultural center in the whole of the state of Rio de Janeiro. During the 28 years since its foundation, the institution has enjoyed the Town Hall’s support through Fundação de Cultura de Angra dos Reis – Cultuar, and has had several directors, always a person involved with the arts or a supporter of culture.

The programming is varied and dynamic: theater performances open to the public, exhibitions, courses, presentations and other activities related to culture. Among the free-of-charge courses and workshops, there is the Teatro Cidadão course for teenagers as of 14 years of age, held by talented teacher Zequinha Miguel, as well as music lessons, a children’s choir and drawing, among others. The entity also has a collection of pictures by local artists and others who use the town as their theme.

In its purpose of perpetuating culture in the town, in 2014 Cultuar organized a stimulating project here – Manhã de Domingo na Casa – consisting of bringing artists to the pavement in front of the building in order to exhibit their handicrafts, music, visual arts, theater and other attractions. The project has been very successful, filling the facilities and livening the town center, which was almost deserted on Sundays but has now won over a constant public, not only residents but also visiting tourists.

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