Celso de Carvalho – Roots and Antennas

Celso de Carvalho is a Brazilian Professor, Scholar, and Cultural Activist. His solid professional experience encompasses an eclectic background. Experienced in dealing with Multinational companies such as Shell Company-Brazil (10 years), Brazil Telecom/Oi (Telecommunications), and wide-ranging of work on the advertising field, product development, media and broadcasting including various show business companies. Celso de Carvalho is the General Director of the International Accordion Festival, Curator and Executive Producer of the” Umbuzada Sonora” Festival and is always involved with music production initiatives. An Interview with Celso de Carvalho – Roots and Antennas: What Brazil Can Teach the World About Art and Culture     OMTimes: “In 2003, the Brazilian government created an initiative called Points of Culture: thousands of community and arts projects of all sizes and types that would work to strengthen people’s involvement in the life of their neighborhoods and the larger society… The idea came from the legendary musician Gilberto Gil…The very act of having artists in the center of government sent a signal of serious intent. Throughout his ministry poets, playwrights and philosophers working in the executive, bringing a new language of aspiration and inventiveness to that of government.” (The Guardian, UK.) How do you evaluate this program and its impact on the Brazilian culture 16 years after implementation? Celso de Carvalho: I personally participated in this program from the beginning and coordinated one of the first cultural points selected by the government. The idea is genius, based on an excerpt from Gilberto Gil’s inaugural address as a minister, in which he spoke of doing an anthropological do-in in Brazilian culture. The program then sought the initiatives that were already running out of money, relying only on the dedication of small groups of artists, managers, and community organizations.  As a result, a small financial contribution, combined with…

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