4/18/08

Congratulations Mestre / Dr. João Pequeno

This Wednesday (April 23), Mestre João Pequeno will be honored with the title of “Honorary Doctor” from Universidade Federal da Bahia (Federal University of Bahia). Here are the details:

When: April 23, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Where: Salão Nobre - Reitoria da UFBA, Rua Augusto Viana, s/n – Canela

Following the event, there will be a celebration and roda at the Nzinga space in Rio Vermelho.

It is with great satisfaction that I let you know that finally, Mestre JOÃO PEQUENO DE PASTINHA, ninety years old, the oldest active mestre of capoeira, and recognized as the most important reference of capoeira in the world, will be awarded the title of "Doutor Honoris Causa" from the Federal University of Bahia. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at 5:30 in the Salão Nobre of the Reitoria of UFBA.

It is of great importance that the university begin to recognize the value of popular culture that has a fundamental role in the humanization of society. Knowledge – academic and popular – complement each other and do not need to be set in a hierarchy. Mestre João Pequeno is a rare jewel in the vast house of our rich popular culture and is a symbol of simplicity, knowledge, generosity, and partnership.

There is nothing more just than the university’s recognition of João, as he is recognized by the people, in the streets, in the markets, in the plazas, in the terreiros, in capoiera rodas, and in the hearts of those who have had the privilege and pleasure to know this great mestre of popular culture in Brazil.

Save mestre (and now doctor) João Pequeno de Pastinha!!!

Pedro Abib – Student of João Pequeno and professor at FACED/UFBA

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