Capoeira News Online

A great video was posted by Vimeo user Motion Hiro for the International Capoeira Festival 2016 at Leamington Spa, England. Read the description and check it out below or on Vimeo!

Here’s a promo video I filmed and edited of Leamingtons Spa’s first ever International Capoeira Festival. It was great working with the Brazilian Culture and Arts Community UK and Capoeira Natural do Brasil on this one.

The international media surrounding the Olympics has not been shy about dipping into Rio de Janeiro’s favelas whenever they need to show a different side of Brazil; its controversial social and economic inequality is an easy target. However, the result is often short, inspirational stories highlighting how capoeira helps young people overcome the challenges of the favela (and constantly pointing out that it is not an Olympic sport, despite its cultural importance to the host country).

Celine Schmitt’s article for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Ahead of Rio 2016, capoeira brings a taste of Brazil to DRC:

“Before we had capoeira, we had problems. Capoeira brought peace, self-control and love,” says Diack, one of Gardinois’ students. “Now we live well together, we are relaxed and are able to control ourselves. We also live well with the host population. They also come to do capoeira with us in the evening. We walk them home and we talk.”

Mestre Esquilo continues to inspire his students in Charlotte, North Carolina, even from afar.

August 3 is Dia do Capoeirista in Brazil, or Capoeirista Day!