Cuba linda en la República Checa.
Our lives are continuously becoming more interconnected with the lives of others. Advances in telecommunication technology, social networking and international media have pushed forth an entire different level of globalization. Companies reach for international recognition for their products and services. Innovative ideas, cultural traditions and languages are all being exchanged, traded and examined by non native individuals in other countries. As a person living in the United States, I consume Italian cuisine, watch Korean films and enjoy imported music. But what if you’re experiencing a Cuban lead musician perform in central Europe as a foreigner yourself? That’s three different cultures and ideas coming together to experience one event.
Pragasón, Cuban influenced band, performs at the Mediterranean Festival in Prague.
Last Spring I studied abroad in the Czech Republic for a month. Their was never a dull moment while abroad photographing the cobblestone streets of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. One day while strolling downtown I came across a music festival of some sort. In the most unlikely of places, in the middle of Europe, not to mention a land locked country in Europe, I came across what my ears believed was a Spanish band. At first I thought my ears were deceiving me, but it was true–Pragasón a Cuban led band was performing at the 6th annual Mediterranean Festival in downtown Prague.
Pragasón has played across many nations in clubs and street festivals and aims in “focusing on the authentic presentation of the traditional Cuban music in The Czech Republic.” The Cuban oriented music essentially brings a little bit of Cuba into the heartland of Europe. The band founded in late 2000, consists of five members, Jorge Concepcion a native born Cuban, two others from Latin America and two Czech natives. Once the concert was over I thanked the pianist for putting on an amazing show. Unfortunately, he didn’t understand my Spanish and kindly asked if I knew Czech. My Czech was quite horrible so I asked if we could communicate in English. I found it interesting that he was singing along in Spanish, yet he didn’t speak it at all!
A colorful display of the different foods available at the Mediterranean Festival.
The festival was a culture mixture of French, Spanish, Greek, Italian and Lebanese music, foods and beer. Colorful umbrellas and lawn chairs were provided for the guests to enjoy the Mediterranean inspired music. Beyond the music stage and maze of lawn chairs were several booths specializing in different foods. Imported cheeses, wines and appetizers were served to the attendants. Only warm sands were missing to make this a true Mediterranean experience.
Although many of the audience members didn’t understand a word of Spanish the vocalist, Jorge Concepcion, many listeners understood that this music was the type to dance too. The Europeans tried their luck with dancing to the Cuban music and every one seemed to enjoy themselves despite the language barrier. It was a beautiful experience to witness a Latin originated culture and music as an outsider in a completely foreign country. It was an unforgettable experience of Cuban, Czech and American cultures and identities coming together to enjoy something wonderful.
A Pragasón performance in 2013.
Fight like a boxer, float like a feather.
(Disclaimer: The above video was not part of the bautizado I documented and serves only to demonstrate the stylized fighting style. Also I’m fully aware of the debate on Portuguese Brazilians with the Hispanic association and whether they associate themselves with the Spanish dominant nations of South and Central America, but this is question takes up a whole other entry.)
In 2012, I had the opportunity of documenting a capoeira bautizado. OK, let me back track– capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines fighting moves with dance and music. Capoeira is a dual between two dancers, or capoeira disciples, within a circle, or a roda in Portuguese of onlookers. Traditional drums and stringed instruments, berimau, provide the music to the duel and often capoeira is refereed to as a game. So how is it possible that a martial arts can incorporate dance moves? As if two “polar opposite” practices were brought together under one practice.
Maestro Jelon “Boracha” gathers capoeira disciples before beginning practice.
Capoeira has deep seated roots in African fighting styles and was developed in the 16th century by Brazilians slaves with African lineage. Generally the martial art was performed by slaves working on sugar plantations and the incorporation of dance and music into the fighting style were used in order to mask the practice of fighting techniques. Slaves were not allowed to practice any type of martial art or fighting techniques in fear that they would revolt against their Anglo plantation owners. Physical contact was replaced with quick and fluid dance moves. Not only has capoeira continued to have a presence in Brazil and Latin America, it has become a renowned international discipline.
A capoeira student anticipates and doges his opponents kick.
A bautizado, baptism in English, is a ceremonial event that celebrates new capoeira students first graduation and change of cords. Similar to karate or tae kwon do, different colored cords distinguish a student’s personal skill level. More skilled capoeira students are also be awarded higher ranks during this event. The maestro generally duals with the students being awarded new cords. During the entire event higher ranked students play the drums and the berimbau. All capoeira disciples participate in the bautizado. Songs are usually a type of call and response rhythm, where the musicians begin a verse and the spectators respond. The music is upbeat, lighthearted and intensifies as the event unfolds. Its quite amazing how the rhythm of song is mirrored into the student’s movements. At the end of the bautizado when all the newly ranked students have dueled with the maestro or higher instructors, these students are awarded their new martial arts cords. Its a lively and grand event to have been a part of.
A student or instructor plays the traditional drum during the capoeira game.
The school of Capoeira Luanda Austin was generous enough to let me photograph the duration of the bautizado as well as interview a couple of the current disciples. Even though Capoeira lacks physical punches and blows, duelers simply avoid the opponents moves and swipes, the martial art takes extreme diligence and determination. Even through adversity and oppression capoeira has survived as an art form and martial art.
With lighthearted smiles on their faces, two instructors duel one anther.
Welcome!
Taking a smoke break. Cesky, Krumlov, Czech Republic 2013.
Hello! ¡Bienvenidos! Bon dia.
I created this blog in order to showcase all my work and have a home for all my photographs and stories. I’ll frequently update it with new photos and even mix in some of my past work that I love the best.
See you next time!
Victoria | Acevedo 