YEREVAN. - A group of Capoeira performers united Yerevan citizens today round the Cascade, one of the capital’s major landmarks. Lovers of Capoeira and Brazilian traditions witnessed the professional show of a once martial art, which combines elements of dance, acrobatics, game and accompanying Brazilian music. 

Ambassador of Brazil to Armenia Edson Marinho Duarte Monteiro told Armenian News – NEWS.am that Capoeira is a very important cultural heritage of Brazil.

Brazil, in his words, is famous not only for its monuments and beaches, but also for its culture. “Capoeira is a martial art invented by the Brazilians who came from Africa. They were slaves. While they were in the farms working as slaves, they started practicing this so that one day they could fight and get their freedom by fighting. But they could not do this as martial art openly because then the farmers would see them and stop. So they did it as dance and music. And the farmers never knew they were practicing martial arts until the day they would decide and then they would fight and escape from farmers,” the Ambassador said.

According to him, anyone can do Capoeira in the form of dance, while many people are trying to sing it. “It’s not necessary practicing some kind of fight. Children can do it; little girls can do it; big guys can do it. It’s a unique combination of music and dance,” Edson Marinho Duarte Monteiro said.

Brazilian Valdu, a professional Capoeira teacher who arrived from Austria, said that during 3 days, they held seminars and Capoeira shows in the streets of Yerevan, as well as organized a Capoeira evening – batizado - during which the new pupils got their belts. 

Valdu said that the first Capoeira teachers arrived in U.S. and Europe from Brazil in the 1960-70s.  “My father was also among them. He came to Europe to show Capoeira and Brazilian culture to the whole world. Currently, Capoeira is popular in Germany, Austria, United States, Africa and Japan. Everywhere people love Capoeira, as they do Brazil,” Valdu said, smiling.

For his part, President of Capoeira Federation in Armenia Karen Vardanyan said that 2015 was a very important year for the “Armenian” Capoeira. “I was able to represent Armenia in international Capoeira competitions for the first time in 7 years. This year I took part in Championships in Europe and Paris and also represented Armenia in the World Championship in Rio de Janeiro. We were able to carry out belt qualification, due to which Armenian participants will get the opportunity to take part in European competitions,” Karen Vardanyan said.