José Júnior is a key leaders and the executive coordinator of Grupo Cultural AfroReggae, which aims to transform and empower youth. Júnior has been with the group since it began in 1993. It is now recognized and is present throughout Brazil and abroad, and has evolved into four factions (Vigário Geral, Parada de Lucas, Cantagalo-Pavão-Pavãozinho and Complexo do Alemão), 14 artistic groups and 74 projects. AfroReggae celebrated its 15th birthday in June 2008, and at that time, Júnior declared his complete support for Rio’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games (click here to watch the video).

Júnior is among those who dream of hosting the world’s largest event in Latin America for the first time, a dream that is shared throughout Brazilian society. In this interview, Júnior discusses his belief in Rio’s ability to successfully stage large events, in its potential to act as a catalyst for integration and in the contribution of society and culture towards the success of the campaign.

What can you tell us about Rio’s bid to host 2016 Olympic Games?

Like any other Brazilian, I’m thrilled at the possibility. We would be given a chance of creating significant social and cultural legacies. It’s not just about the success we had with the Pan American Games and the success we will achieve with the FIFA World Cup 2014 that prompts me to say this. I truly believe in the potential of this city, state and country.

What are your views about Rio’s ability to integrate?

There are things here you can’t find anywhere else. Rio has places, like “Posto 6” on Ipanema Beach, for instance, where you can see people from the favelas mingling with the upper middle class and famous stars. Here we use a typical carioca expression: “We’re together and mixed.” Everyone is on the same wavelength, and connected. To me, the Games will be exactly that.

Would you agree that this comes from a typical carioca frame of mind?

Of course: it comes from creativity, flexibility, the ability to improvise. All this is exists in the social domain and is exported with our methodology that goes to other countries through our social technology, for example.

How does the exported methodology works?

There are no significant changes to what we do here. In most instances, the format is the same, but respecting the limits of each culture. Among others, we stage percussion, dance, theater and circus workshops, and we do musical performances and train disseminators to spread our message.

How is the group progressing internationally?

AfroReggae is developing projects in several countries including England, India, China, Germany and Colombia, among others, and people are quite impressed with the impact and speed of the results, the best of which come out of England, where we have been invited to set up social actions regarding the 2012 Olympic Games. We set up artistic performances, workshops in upscale and popular districts and we train people to disseminate our method. We go to London two or three times a year for two- to three-week visits.

What can you tell us about the AfroReggae participation in Rio 2016?

We still haven’t worked out the details, but of course we can help, give ideas. We must not forget that there exist many similar initiatives like Nós do Morro (a theater group from Morro do Vidigal), CUFA (Central Única das Favelas), Instituto Sou da Paz and others that could collaborate. I also feel that effective dialogue among the three levels of government is important, as is the creation of a bid supported by all of Brazil, in which the entire country shares the same dream. Perhaps we should consult thinkers and opinion-makers from all corners of the country to see how they can contribute.

How did AfroReggae participate in Rio 2007?

Actively. We greeted the delegations at the Pan American Village. We had nine groups performing as a welcome to the athletes, officials and technical commissions.

How do you feel about our chances of hosting the Games?

Rio has all it needs to deliver effiient Games, not just because of the gorgeous landscape, but because of the natural vocation it has in hosting large events like the 2007 Rio Pan American Games and the Rolling Stones show in Copacabana, one of the largest outdoor shows in the world.

What do you think are our strengths?

Besides the marvelous landscape, what differentiates us are our social and cultural virtues. We have the potential to be the best in tourism, entertainment, culture and the revitalization of the port area.

To close this interview, please tell us about the celebration of AfroReggae’s 15th anniversary.

We will have the ceremony during the ninth Orilaxé awards, on Wednesday at Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater. The party will host 2,500 people of all races, classes, creeds and sexual preferences. The AfroReggae band will share the stage with Zeca Pagodinho, Olodum, Rappin Hood and Leandro Sapucahy. The repertoire includes John Lennon’s classic “Imagine,” played by AfroReggae with a Hare Krishna group and the Military Police’s 190 Band.