What fervor. The 9the international festival, organized this weekend of June 28, 29 and 30, 2024 by the Espirito capoeira Brasil Châtellerault club, lives up to its promises. This year, the event welcomes around 150 participants, adults and children, from Brazil, Hungary, Belgium and, in France, from cities such as Paris, Marseille, Rennes, Tours and Lille to the Verger gymnasium.
Capoeira is this Afro-Brazilian martial art, a mix of karate, dance and music. A club has been established locally for about fifteen years around Nathalie and Steeve Pecqueur, a husband and wife in the city, and president and teacher in the association.
“We are all together whatever our origins”
But what is a capoeira festival? “It’s a festival where we invite about forty teachers and masters to show a different capoeira to our students, to learn and improve. At the end of the weekend, the students gain a new grade.”explains “Pequeno”, Steve’s nickname, since in this martial art everyone chooses their own nickname. The system of grades (not belts but ropes) is similar to what is done in martial arts.
Pequeno, therefore, does not hide his enthusiasm: “ For three days, we live, we eat, we dance in Brazil. There is a real brotherhood. We are all together whatever our origin, whatever our age, our size, our level. When we are there, we immediately feel supported and recognized. In these times, especially with what’s happening right now, it’s a beautiful message. »
Among the capoeira masters present in Châtellerault is the big boss in the person of Paulão Céara, who created the worldwide group Capoeira Brasil, present in 45 countries and of which the Châtelleraudais club is a part. “Just two weeks ago, he was in Los Angeles and now he is in Châtellerault. It is a great pride to have today the one who created the school”enjoy Small.
During a “roda”, with Paulão Céara in the center in the background.
© Photo Franck Bastard
The festival opened on Friday, June 28. Grading ceremonies will take place until Sunday, and a special graduation ceremony was reserved for four students this Saturday: India, Tornado, Casado and Sedutor. They will recognize themselves.
The club did things well. It devotes a budget of €15,000 to this biannual meeting. “We make t-shirts, bracelets, goodies. This evening (SATURDAY)we have planned 170 meals »describes Steeve Pecqueur. What cannot be quantified is the fervor and friendship when the music speeds up and the capoeira fever rises in the wheelRound.
