Brazilian and Madeiran indigenous musicians perform on the island

A concert is also scheduled for August 29th at Casa da América Latina, in Lisbon.

"The Arapy Aguaçu -- Sinfonia Entre Dois Mundos project aims to promote an unprecedented cultural and musical encounter between young Brazilian indigenous musicians and Madeiran musicians, valuing and disseminating the musical traditions of both peoples," explains the Madeira Mandolin Association in a statement.

The initiative, conceived by Eduardo Martinelli (Brazil) and Norberto Cruz (Madeira), is part of the program for the Orquestra Indígena's first international tour, with performances planned in Portugal and Spain.

"Through the fusion of traditional instruments and repertoires from Madeira and Mato Grosso do Sul, the project aims to create a collective artistic experience that strengthens intercultural dialogue, the preservation of intangible heritage and the construction of bridges between Brazil and Portugal," says the Madeira Mandolin Association.

The concerts, with free entry, are scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 pm at the Municipal Garden Auditorium, in the center of Funchal, and Sunday at 6:00 pm at the Machico Forum, a city located in the east of the island.

Arapy Aguaçu -- Symphony Between Two Worlds is part of the celebrations of the bicentennial of the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro, signed in 1825, which sealed the peace, friendship and alliance between Brazil and Portugal after independence.

The Mandolin Association emphasizes that the project seeks to "raise public awareness of cultural diversity and promote the inclusion of historically marginalized communities," giving visibility to the musical richness and identity of Brazilian indigenous peoples in dialogue with Portuguese tradition.

According to information available on the Orquestra Indígena website, the show creates a "unique fusion between ancestral Brazilian rhythms and Portuguese musical tradition" and, in addition to valuing indigenous culture, reinforces the importance of cultural exchange as an instrument of social transformation and strengthening identity.

Composed of around 20 children and teenagers from the Terena and Guarani ethnic groups, the Brazilian Indigenous Orchestra, whose artistic direction is under the responsibility of Eduardo Martinelli, was created in 2016, in Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul, and offers free instruction in classical instruments.

Its mission is also to "rescue and preserve music from the Brazilian songbook, from the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul (the region close to the community where they live) and from indigenous traditions."

The Madeira Mandolin Association, currently chaired by maestro Norberto Cruz, was established in 2000 with the aim of bringing together all mandolin players, bands and orchestras in Madeira and promoting research, promotion and development of the region's musical heritage.

In 2022, the Regional Government of Madeira granted it the status of public utility entity.