WHAT'S THAT SONG?
‘Asa Branca’ by Luiz Gonzaga
Poet, singer-songwriter and magician. How else could such earthly clay turn light and graceful without the music of the ‘King of Baião,’ Luiz Gonzaga, who is recognized as one of Brazil’s greatest musical talents.
This version of his hit, ‘Asa Branca,’ which translates to 'white wing,' features an original recording by Gonzaga, who had a wide-ranging influence on popular rhythms.
The dancing clay figurines on the stage are joined in a forró by the fans in the stands. The song is one they all know - the famous 'Asa Branca' by Luiz Gonzanga.
SHINY TONGAN IS BACK!
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MAKE CLAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES
Or while it rains. The dance company Grupo Corpo, created in 1975 in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, is one of the biggest names in global contemporary dance. Right now we're seeing a choreography of 'Parabelo', one of the company’s most memorable shows.
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LADIES WHO LACE
The lights go out and a 'lace-making woman' appears in the centre of the stage with her cushion. She starts to weave. The segment celebrates the manual art of bilro lace and the women who work with it. Brought to Brazil during the Portuguese colonial period, this technique is now part of the cultural heritage of the northeast region.
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WHAT'S THAT SONG?
'Mulher Rendeira' performed by Ganhadeiras de Itapuã
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
This is a song of legendary origin, performed by a very important group of musicians. The wisest people like to claim the song was composed by the 'King of Cangaço,' Lampião, inspired by his grandmother who was a celebrated lace-maker, or rendeira. This stunning display of culture and handicrafts celebrates the legacy of Portuguese culture, which is represented here by lace.
Ganhadeiras de Itapuã perform the celebratory song. By bringing these musicians to the stage, the directors of the opening ceremony pay tribute to black culture and its many contributions to past and present Brazil. Formed in 2004, Ganhadeiras de Itapuã brings to light afro-Brazilian traditions from the city of Salvador. During Brazil’s colonial period, 'escravas ganhadeiras,' which roughly translates to 'wage-earning female slaves,' were permitted to sell products on street stalls. What a powerful legacy to honour.
A TIME TO REMEMBER
The words from the Brazilian poem 'Saudade', by Arnaldo Antunes, are read aloud and projected onto the stage. This is a moment for those present, and those watching, to remember loved ones who are no longer with us. During the Rio 2016 Games, for the first time in modern Olympic history, a place of private mourning was provided for athletes in the Olympic Village.
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS
The ceremony's creators said one of tonight's themes would be "exploring Brazilian art in its multiple forms". Here we see it in one of its first forms. The cave paintings found in the Serrada Capivara National Park in Piauí, northeast Brazil, are regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites for understanding the history of humankind in the Americas. We see these ancient drawings projected, while on the stage the cast form different geometric patterns in braided fibres and straw.
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FORRÓ: COME ONE AND COME ALL
A popular dance from northeast Brazil, forró is enlivened by the trilling sounds of triangle, accordion and percussion. The word 'forró' is an abbreviation of 'forrobodó,' which means shindig, confusion or fun. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
But according to another popular theory, 'forró' comes from the English phrase, 'free for all.' Exactly, we say! Come one and come all! These were the name for dances held at military bases in northeast Brazil during the Second World War.
PARTY ON CIMAR!
Cimar Azevedo of Rio de Janeiro has huge — huuuuge! — praise for Rio 2016. He says, "This has been the best party of my life. Brazil turned it up to 10. For me, the involvement of the volunteers was the coolest thing in the Olympic Games because it was them who pulled off the party."
And what a party. Applause for the thousands of volunteers at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE AN ATHLETE PARTY
After two weeks of early nights, hard training and intense competing, the athletes from around the world are really letting their hair tonight at the Maracana. We admit that not all of the dancing is of a high standard (although some of it definitely is!) but if anything that tropical rain is adding to the excitement!
(Photo: Getty Images)
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