Nós do Morro celebrates 38 years with free events and a grand celebration

Nós do Morro, which has forever transformed the lives of the Vidigal community, in Rio de Janeiro, is celebrating its anniversary with a series of events that began on September 19, marking its 38th year, and will continue until November.

The group is a success story, born from the idea and dream of journalist and actor Guti Fraga, with the support of other collaborators. Founded in 1986, it was created by lighting designer Fred Pinheiro, set designer Fernando Mello da Costa, journalism student Luiz Paulo Corrêa e Castro, and several young local artistic talents with the pioneering goal of providing access to art and culture. The project offers theatre and audiovisual classes for children, young people, and adults living in Morro do Vidigal who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

Generations of performing arts professionals have emerged and had their lives transformed, becoming key figures in the history of this important theatre group. Many talents from Nós do Morro were born in Vidigal and other underprivileged neighbourhoods in Rio. The members are trained with the vision of revolutionizing society through art.

Among them are actor and singer Thiago Martins, who starred in the film Cidade de Deus (City of God) and is now an actor on TV Globo; Roberta Rodrigues, one of the first black actresses of the new generation to take on prominent roles on TV and in cinema; and Juan Paiva, who found great success as one of the protagonists in the soap opera Renascer (rebirth), alongside other colleagues from Morro do Vidigal (Community located in Rio de Janeiro), such as actors Marcello Melo Jr. and Renan Monteiro.

International fame

These are just a few of the names from this 38-year legacy, a source of pride for the community that has found success both inside and outside Brazil. For instance, actor Diogo Sales, also trained by Nós do Morro, gained recognition after appearing in the Game of Thrones series.

Additionally, in August 2006, the organization made headlines in England when it was invited by the Royal Shakespeare Company to perform The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Festival 38 em Nós: the fulfilment of a dream

The films Loucos Dizem que Somos (They Say We’re Crazy), by Katia Lund and Lili Fialho, and A Festa de Léo (Leo’s Party), by Luciana Bezerra and Gustavo Melo—the first film by Nós do Morro—will be shown.

The event will also feature lectures, workshops, music, and a performance of the play Re-Acordar with Grupo Tuca RJ and Amir Haddad, as well as Vidigal Show, a spectacle in an open-air talk show format, with various performances and online streaming. It will be a great gathering to celebrate those who make a difference through art.

The festival has mobilized an entire generation of theatre and audiovisual professionals who began with the group’s projects and have become essential to its history. “We’re bringing together all those who have been part of the story of Nós do Morro and helped solidify our dream”, said Marcello Melo, the festival’s executive director and creator.

The celebration will take place in Morro do Vidigal, in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone. The events in September and October will be free of charge, while the closing event in November will have an entrance fee, with all proceeds going towards the renovation and maintenance of Nós do Morro’s facilities.

To support Nós do Morro, you can make a donation via Pix: 30.120.620/0001-25.

For more information, click here.

Read about the group’s history and testimonials from the talents discovered by Nós do Morro here.