Favela to the World

What is Favela to the World?

Favela to the World asks questions about what the arts can do to promote social justice in the UK. It’s a programme run by People’s Palace Projects that aims to extend our understanding of the power of art to make a positive difference in young people’s lives.

Based on the inspirational performances of Rio de Janeiro’s cultural warriors AfroReggae, Favela to the World is a seven-year programme that seeks to strengthen the resistance and resilience of young people in the UK through engagement with art. Working in partnership with UK organizations in East London, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool, the programme is building a unique legacy of performance, knowledge and skills with a diverse range of arts-based projects.

We have now entered the second phase, which will take us through from 2009 to 2012.
The second phase of the programme focuses on youth cultural leadership, building capacity for social engagement through the arts within UK institutions, and celebrating young people’s achievements through performance and debate.

Find out more:
» Our current activities
» The first phase of the programme (2006-2008)

Who is Afroreggae?

Grupo Cultural AfroReggae is a Brazilian cultural group from Rio de Janeiro. Forged out of the police massacre of 21 people in their local community in 1993, they have gone on to establish an international profile for their pioneering work in taking young people out of the drug/gang culture of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas (shantytowns). They harness the ingenuity and creativity of their communities to provide positive alternatives for young people.

The main band AfroReggae opened the Rolling Stones concert to two million people on Copacabana Beach, and has played major stages from the Carnegie Hall to the Barbican. They have played to sell-out audiences in India, South Africa, China, and across the USA and Europe. Grupo Cultural AfroReggae now runs over 70 projects across a range of disciplines including music, dance & theatre, circus, and radio & new media with over 3,000 young people in Rio de Janeiro. They also provide social support mechanisms for young people, guiding many into employment in Rio’s mainstream.

AfroReggae balances the impact of high-quality performance with the importance of arts as a social process.

The AfroReggae UK Partnership

Out of the relationships forged around AfroReggae’s first visit in 2006, People’s Palace Projects brokered the formation of the AfroReggae UK Partnership, bringing together a range of UK arts and non-arts organisations who wanted to collaborate to draw learning and inspiration from AfroReggae in their work with young people here in the UK.

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