University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign history professor Marc Hertzman examined the longest-lasting society formed by people who escaped slavery and their descendants in Brazil and how its memory shapes concepts of Black resistance and national identity today in his new book
and the Afterlives of Zumbi.” Courtesy Marc Hertzman
The first enslaved Africans arrived in Brazil in the 16th century, nearly 100 years before the U.S. slave trade began. Some escaped and established societies in an area known as Palmares, in the wilderness in northeastern Brazil. The settlements grew to at least 10,000 people, ending only after the Palmares leader Zumbi was killed in 1695
Hertzman said he wanted to learn how the memory of Zumbi and Palmares survived from 1695 to the present and what it means today
four of which focus on the history of Palmares and its aftermath in the 18th century
The final section considers how Palmares and Zumbi became contested symbols of national identity in the 19th and 20th centuries
Zumbi is a symbol of Black pride in Brazil
and some areas celebrate the date of his death
as a day to recognize the story of Black resistance
But there are questions about who Zumbi was
how he died and whether the name refers to one man or a series of leaders
“Zumbi is a really powerful symbol of resistance and also a flash point for reactionary responses,” he said
No written records by the settlers of Palmares exist
The only records available came from those on the outside who wanted to destroy the settlement
and what happened to Palmares and Zumbi is full of speculation
many soldiers from that time claimed that they killed Zumbi before he actually died
Zumbi’s assassination in 1695 is considered the end of Palmares
but people continued to live in the settlements and the fighting continued for decades
The most powerful European empires were trying to destroy them
In one of the really remarkable chapters in Palmares’ history
settlers in Palmares were on equal footing with a European power.”
Hertzman traced thousands of people from Palmares and made educated guesses about what happened to them
While researching newspaper stories and land titles
he found places hundreds of miles away from the Palmares area that were named “Zumbi.” Some were given that name in the early 18th century
“A handful seem to clearly have some connection
People from Palmares were almost certainly there in the aftermath and the naming was around the end of Palmares,” he said
Brazil was engaged in a larger percentage of the transatlantic slave trade than anywhere else
with 40% of enslaved people brought to Brazil
and the country has more people of African descent than anywhere else outside of Africa
Brazil approved a new constitution that recognized communities that can prove historical land possession and trace their descendance from groups who suffered racial oppression
The constitution provides small amounts of reparations
But many communities don’t meet the legal requirements for recognition
people went to various places and a lot of lineages can’t be traced back in the way the law lays out
but their stories pass through the same history
I think of Palmares as not ending but living on in ways that are hard to trace,” he said
The legacy of Palmares includes such things as ways of naming the land
religion and the reclamation of the political symbol of Zumbi
Hertzman said he hopes the book helps add a new perspective to conversations about reparations in the U.S
and what it means to reckon with slavery — and will provide an opportunity to think about various possible versions of history
“We can reconsider what we can know as historians
I want people to know there is a story afterward and to think about other histories that we think we can’t get at,” he said
“For people to know there was this place that was created and preserved against all odds is a really amazing story.”
Editor’s note: To contact Marc Hertzman, email hertzman@illinois.edu
— Four faculty members from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have been newly elected as members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
one of the oldest honorary societies in the United States
physics professor Aida El-Khadra and chemistry professor Jonathan Sweedler are […]
— Educators and researchers have had longstanding concerns about the quality of computer science instruction in U.S
A recent study exploring student learning and computer science teachers’ qualifications in one state suggests that these teachers may be better qualified than those teaching other subjects
— A novel research project has shown that areas with greater amounts of green space have a lower prevalence of police violence
The study is the first to find a significant relationship between greenness levels and fatal police shootings
and it showed that the most socially and economically disadvantaged areas seemed to benefit […]
Email: stratcom@illinois.edu
Phone (217) 333-5010
JW Marriott has announced plans to open its first property in Portugal
the JW Marriott Algarve Palmares Hotel & Spa
which is set to welcome guests in early 2028
Located within the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf Resort in Lagos
the new hotel will offer 172 luxury rooms and suites with sea views
as well as 133 JW Marriott-branded residences
Designed by the Spanish architectural firm RCR Arquitectes and interior design studio Goddard Littlefair
the JW Marriott Algarve Palmares Hotel & Spa aims to blend the region's Moorish influences with contemporary design elements
The design focuses on creating an experience for guests
with sun-weathered textures and artisanal details that reflect Portugal's cultural heritage
The interior spaces will feature a connection between indoor and outdoor areas
ensuring that guests can fully appreciate the natural beauty of the Algarve
The hotel will feature multiple dining options
and the Michelin-starred Al-Sud restaurant
The hotel will also offer a Family by JW kids' club and various tranquility areas
guests will have easy access to the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf Resort's extensive amenities
The JW Marriott Algarve Palmares Hotel & Spa will also feature exclusive spaces like the JW Garden
designed to enhance the wellness experience for guests
The JW Marriott Algarve Palmares Hotel & Spa will be located between the bay of Lagos and the Ria de Alvor
offering guests scenic views and direct access to the amenities of the Palmares Ocean Living & Golf Resort
The hotel is expected to be a key addition to the region's hospitality offerings
providing a blend of modern luxury and traditional design in one of Portugal's most popular destinations
Hotel website
Brand OwnerMarriott International, Inc.
HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Costa Rica
Two weeks of non-stop excitement filled with music
or "Las Fiestas Palmares," is a carnival-style celebration and one of Costa Rica's largest and most vibrant events
the event has become a highlight on Costa Rica’s social calendar
A cornerstone of the festivities is the traditional "Tope" horse parade
This grand event features thousands of riders showcasing their finest horses
including intricate stunts like standing and dancing on horseback
The Palmares Carnival will take place on Friday
Scheduled between January 17 and January 27
the bullfighting events provide a unique spectacle
blending traditional culture with modern entertainment
Held as part of the Palmares Festival 2025
these events showcase a variety of programs
Music enthusiasts can enjoy performances by popular Costa Rican musicians and international artists
with free outdoor concerts as well as ticketed shows at the "La Barra Imperial" stage
Comedy shows featuring local and international comedians further add to the festival's appeal
Festival-goers can also explore numerous outdoor tents
These after-hour parties are a hallmark of the event
providing opportunities for dancing and socializing late into the night
While entry to the festival grounds is free
Ticket prices typically range from 10,000 to 37,000 colones
Palmares is conveniently located about an hour’s drive from San José
the region offers attractions like coffee plantations
and eco-tourism opportunities for those seeking to explore more of Costa Rica's natural beauty
Warning: Major spoilers for The Eternaut ahead
Snow in summer? That's the innocuous start to The Eternaut, Netflix's latest sci-fi epic which is even more epic than you probably realise
even if you've finished watching the whole of season 1
It's soon revealed that this mysterious snowfall kills everyone it touches and technology suddenly stops working too
which means the survivors have a lot to figure out if they're to survive much longer
That alone would be a lot to contend with
it's revealed that this freaky weather was just the beginning
Based on Héctor G Oesterheld's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel
El Eternauta is a landmark work of the genre that Argentinian filmmakers have tried to adapt for decades
it's important to know that there's so much more going on in this story than these first six episodes let on
The first episode opened with Clara on a boat with friends when the blackout first hit Buenos Aires
when she suddenly shows up at Alfredo's home
How did Clara make it all the way back from the boat without any help
And why does she deny being on that boat in the first place
Rumours of people \"going crazy\" and attacking others start to come to the fore when Juan's friend Lucas vanishes overnight
right before three masked assailants start shooting everyone at the mall without a word
Episode 5 ended with the surviving shooter walking back into the sewers where he passed through a group of alien bugs who didn't attack
which suggests that he and the other shooters were being controlled by the aliens
The Eternaut finale opens with Juan talking with one of the women who attacked just one episode prior
they stand in front of a mural that happens to contain numerous elements that have already shown up or will soon show up on the show
Juan has been having strange dreams or visions since the snow first fell
Something much more important is happening here
Collaborating with the military soldiers who rescued survivors from the mall
Alfredo and Lucas use a train to smash through the barrier and visit an abandoned building in the city centre
Their plan is to broadcast a message of hope throughout the area for anyone who's still left alive
they spend the night in the building and enjoy a game of cards
when Lucas suddenly freaks out and stabs Omar in the stomach for no reason
and this is massively out of character for Lucas
Juan chases their crazed friend up to the rooftop
where they find him rambling about tapped phones while he stands on the edge
the group also notice a huge blue light emanating from the stadium nearby
Lucas smiles briefly before his face turns blank and he suddenly steps off the roof to his death
because a group of people with flashlights are suddenly spotted running towards the building
With Omar and another volunteer by their side
afraid that the advancing mob are out to get them
but he betrays them all and calls out their location to the others
but everyone makes it back onto the train and escapes in one piece
Juan decides to investigate what's going on at the stadium
and together they encounter a street full of people and the bugs walking around together
all acting as one like they're being controlled somehow
That's when we finally see the source of the light
and presumably who or what is controlling everyone
but it's clearly a new kind of alien creature
one who is controlling everyone with a gross
Juan finally realises why his daughter has been acting so strangely
The series then cuts to her practising shooting back at base camp with a very serious expression on her face
Remember when her parents discovered a strange bump on Clara's head
This might be the method of control used by this alien to manipulate her and the others to do their bidding
With such a huge cliffhanger and plenty more story to tell
there's a strong chance that Netflix will renew The Eternaut for another season
Speaking to Forbes
\"We still have the second part of The Eternaut ahead of us,\" which sounds promising
assuming that it adheres closely to the source material
Prepare for some major spoilers from here on out
the weird alien in question is known as The Hand
but it in turn is being controlled by other aliens who the protagonist simply refers to as \"Them\"
The next stage of their plan is to lure the army into a trap where they're destroyed by monsters known as \"Gurbos\"
Juan blows up the dome and escapes just before a nuke is fired at Buenos Aires by international forces desperate to stop the aliens
as aliens continue luring survivors to \"snow-free zones\" they've set up as a trap
Juan and his family manage to take control of a spaceship
but they're soon separated when he presses random buttons that hurl him into a pocket universe away from the others
this \"Eternaut\" learns to travel between timelines and winds up in Buenos Aires a few years before the invasion begins
Juan is reunited with his family in a stable time loop
That's why he keeps having these strange visions throughout the first season of Netflix's adaptation
Because he really has lived all this before
are actually memories of a future he's already lived through before
The graphic novel ends with Juan deciding to write a comic about what's happened
bringing the story full circle in a delightfully meta way
That might be a bit too out there for this show
but let's hope enough seasons are commissioned to do the source material justice regardless
The Eternaut is available to stream on Netflix now
The Eternaut ending explained: What really caused the apocalypse?Everything you need to know
Snow in summer? That's the innocuous start to The Eternaut, Netflix's latest sci-fi epic which is even more epic than you probably realise
even if you've finished watching the whole of season 1
It's soon revealed that this mysterious snowfall kills everyone it touches and technology suddenly stops working too
which means the survivors have a lot to figure out if they're to survive much longer
it's revealed that this freaky weather was just the beginning
Based on Héctor G Oesterheld's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel
With Netflix's version finally upon us
it's important to know that there's so much more going on in this story than these first six episodes let on
We don't see her again until episode 5
when she suddenly shows up at Alfredo's home
Rumours of people "going crazy" and attacking others start to come to the fore when Juan's friend Lucas vanishes overnight
Episode 5 ended with the surviving shooter walking back into the sewers where he passed through a group of alien bugs who didn't attack
Mariano Landet/NetflixThe Eternaut finale opens with Juan talking with one of the women who attacked just one episode prior
and he's not just losing it due to stress
Their plan is to broadcast a message of hope throughout the area for anyone who's still left alive
Marcos Ludevid / NetflixJuan chases their crazed friend up to the rooftop
Juan decides to investigate what's going on at the stadium
all acting as one like they're being controlled somehow
That's when we finally see the source of the light
but it's clearly a new kind of alien creature
Remember when her parents discovered a strange bump on Clara's head
there's a strong chance that Netflix will renew The Eternaut for another season
Speaking to Forbes
"We still have the second part of The Eternaut ahead of us," which sounds promising
"I believe we're going to aim higher!"
but it in turn is being controlled by other aliens who the protagonist simply refers to as "Them"
The next stage of their plan is to lure the army into a trap where they're destroyed by monsters known as "Gurbos"
as aliens continue luring survivors to "snow-free zones" they've set up as a trap
but they're soon separated when he presses random buttons that hurl him into a pocket universe away from the others
this "Eternaut" learns to travel between timelines and winds up in Buenos Aires a few years before the invasion begins
That's why he keeps having these strange visions throughout the first season of Netflix's adaptation
are actually memories of a future he's already lived through before
The graphic novel ends with Juan deciding to write a comic about what's happened
but let's hope enough seasons are commissioned to do the source material justice regardless
David Opie is a freelance entertainment journalist who writes about TV and film across a range of sites including Radio Times
He's spoken on numerous LGBTQ+ panels to discuss queer representation and strives to champion LGBTQ+ storytelling as much as possible
which is why David longs to see a Buffy-themed Rusical on RuPaul's Drag Race
He previously worked at Digital Spy as a Deputy TV Editor and has a degree in Psychology
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Michael “Agent X44” Feliciano bagged the 1st Mayor Stephen A
Palmares 9-Ball Invitational Billiard Tournament finals after defeating Francisco “Django” Bustamante
at the Arena Stadium in Passi City in the Philippines on Sunday
Feliciano leading in the race to 11 affair,10-7
Bustamante cleared the table to close the match at 10-8
but it turned out to be the last time the former World 9-ball champion Bustamante would score
Feliciano thus ruled the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) sanctioned tournament and took home the P200,000 prize
former double World Champion Efren “Bata” Reyes (10-6) in the competition before facing Bustamante in the final
“I am very happy with my victory because almost all of the top players in Iloilo and nearby provinces as well as those from Metro Manila joined the tournament,” said the Bacolod City based Feliciano
“It’s an early Christmas gift,” he added
Bustamante settled for a runner-up prize of P100,000
The 9-ball pool event offers a total pot prize of P500,000 being held in cooperation with GAB chairman Atty
Commissioner Angel Bautista Dr.Jesucito Garcia
John Alexis Manalo and tournament director Ramon “Maestro Monching” Mistica.-Marlon Bernardino-
Go to discussion...
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A start-up at the crossroads of science and entrepreneurship
with his extensive experience in supporting start-ups
plays a central role in Plasana Medical's development
He helps transform scientific discoveries into concrete solutions
accessible to healthcare professionals and patients alike
Antoine Rousseau has been piloting research into wound healing
supported by the Direction Générale de l'Armement
SATT Saclay and IP Paris' Interdisciplinary Centre for Defence and Security (CIEDS)
cold plasma is a partially ionized gas at room temperature
In collaboration with Pasteur and the Service de Santé des Armées
his research has demonstrated that this technology has a two-fold advantage: it eliminates pathogens while promoting wound healing
These properties pave the way for promising applications
notably in the treatment of chronic wounds and severe burns
An innovative technology for medical applications
Plasana Medical has developed a lightweight
portable device capable of applying a jet of cold plasma quickly and effectively to the skin
This technological breakthrough opens up new prospects for the management of chronic wounds
which particularly affect diabetic patients and those suffering from circulatory disorders
Awarded a prize in Le Point's Palmarès des Inventeurs 2025
the start-up now aims to accelerate the development of its device and obtain the necessary certifications to bring it to market
Plasana Medical's founders encourage future entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality
and to surround themselves with the right partners to transform their research into concrete applications
Antoine Rousseau has a message for researchers and innovators: “If you have good ideas
Plasana Medical has established itself as a start-up to watch closely
with a promising future in medical innovation
Mother Bernadete's legacy grows as a root of struggle in Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares (BA)
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In the Quilombo de Pitanga dos Palmares (BA)
the first anniversary of the murder of Mãe Bernadete Pacífico was marked by longing and emotion
but above all by the collective cry for justice and the guarantee of the right to title to quilombola territories
In the sacred land that gave rise to the leadership
his memory became the root of the ancestral quilombola struggle
which guides and accompanies the seeds of resistance to remain firm in the defense of their rights
“We will not associate Dona Bernadete’s murder with drug trafficking
because Dona Bernadete’s death was groundless in this country!”
which points to drug trafficking as the reason behind Mother Bernadete's death
On the night of August 17, 2023, Maria Bernadete Pacífico Moreira was murdered in her home, in Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares, at the age of 72. Despite being in the Human Rights Defenders Protection Program (PPDDH), she was shot 22 times
in a case that shocked the country and highlighted the vulnerability of quilombola leaders in Brazil
After Mother Bernadete, 12 quilombola people were murdered in the country in the period of one year. One unprecedented survey carried out by Conaq showed an exponential increase in crimes in the last five years
There were 46 executions recorded from January 2019 to July 2024
a quilombola life was violently eliminated
2021 and 2023 stand out as years with a number of murders higher than the annual average
the Quilombo de Pitanga dos Palmares has faced serious land conflicts
aggravated by rampant real estate speculation and the installation of public and private enterprises that put its survival at risk
“Trafficking cannot take credit for a fight that Dona Bernadete fought while denouncing deforestation
while denouncing the lack of land titling and while demanding the death of Binho [her son
The blood spilled in the fight for land in this country must be respected
Dona Bernadete’s blood will not be dishonored,” said Selma Dealdina
the griot who was in charge of the state within the quilombo,” recalls Mother Jaciara
a friend and resident of Pitanga dos Palmares
“But she was not an ialorixá,” despite being initiated into Candomblé
the accusation of religious racism for the crime cannot be considered
“When [the media] says ‘the ialorixá was murdered in the terreiro,’ that also leaves us from Candomblé vulnerable
So can someone just go to any terreiro and kill?” she asked
O 7th Quilombola Art and Culture Festival was held between August 16 and 18 by Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares and the Muzanzu Ethnodevelopment Association
Seven quilombola communities from the region and leaders from all over the country came together to celebrate the legacy of Mother Bernadete with guided tours
cultural workshops and a fair of artisanal and gastronomic products
“This festival portrays the story of struggle
resistance and ancestry of Mother Bernadete
That was all she did when she was here among us and I am continuing this courageous and wonderful legacy,” said Jurandir Pacífico
Mother Bernadete defended female empowerment
the creation and implementation of public policies and quality education – one of her dreams was to establish universities within the quilombos
she was part of the coordination and women's collective of Conaq
served as Secretary for the Promotion of Racial Equality in Simões Filho (BA)
artisan and also a reference as a samba dancer
being part of the first coordination of the Association of Sambadores and Sambadeiras of the State of Bahia (Asseba)
This exchange of knowledge and practices of seven quilombola communities involved in this Festival is of utmost importance,” added Jurandir Pacífico.
During the festival, the Mãe Bernadete Rustic Museum was inaugurated. Created to honor the leader and her son Flávio Gabriel Pacífico dos Santos, better known as Binho do Quilombo, murdered in 2017
The space is a traditional wattle and daub house and was built in a week
Jurandir Pacífico announced the opening of the museum
I am not prepared to go in now,” he said.
“The museum preserves the memory and history of the people who fought
the memory of Mother Bernadete and the prospect that we will not lose these stories,” said the Minister of Women
So Mother Bernadete here is a force that is with us,” recalled Mother Jaciara
The Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares is the only one in Brazil that has a street of terreiros
and it is in this setting that Mother Bernadete worshipped her faith
initiated in the 1970s in the terreiro Ilê Axé Kalé Bokum
“Spirituality ends up being the technology that protects us the most,” commented Wellington Pacífico
grandson of Mother Bernadete and who was with her when she was murdered
“It is the cowrie shell that will guide us
it is Caboclo who will guide us on which paths to follow and which people to trust
there is progress in the struggles in relation to the defense of the territory and also our protection as people
O II National Meeting of Quilombola Women It was one of the last public agendas of Conaq that Mãe Bernadete attended
The theme was “When a quilombola woman falls
because she does not cease to exist because she is no longer here on the physical plane
She is one of the founders of the Conaq women’s collective,” recalled Selma Dealdina
together with other women from the institution and the collective
promoted a workshop for quilombola women at the festival to also honor this part of Mother Bernadete’s struggle
in which we can experience at least a little justice
of resistance and of saying that her legacy has not died
reinforced the executive coordinator of Conaq and member of the Women's Collective
The collective joined forces with women from Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares and Salvador for a workshop on political reflections
The women also wrote about Mother Bernadete
Eternally present!" read one of the messages
Laura highlighted that the women's collective works together in the fight for public policies that are appropriate to the quilombola reality
debating issues at a national level and mainly making impacts in ministries
“so that we can have a public policy that meets our reality”
“If you look at the data, the largest number of women who suffer femicide are [black] women
a large number of quilombo leaders are women
They are the ones on the front line and therefore they are more vulnerable,” explained Minister Cida Gonçalves
Data from the latest survey “Racism and Violence against Quilombos in Brazil”, carried out by Terra de Direitos and Conaq, reveal that, in the period from 2018 to 2022, of the 32 murders recorded, nine were women.
“There is an ingrained hatred in the country
Mother Bernadete was already dead after the first three shots
This is not a crime that characterizes trafficking
This is a hate crime,” the minister emphasized
According to her, the government is implementing a national protocol to protect quilombola women, with public policies aimed at their safety, autonomy and combating violence. Within the scope of the ministry, the Permanent Forum of Quilombola Women – a demand from the last National Meeting of Quilombola Women –
where bimonthly debates are held to define the lines of these policies to be invested in the quilombos
The murder of Mother Bernadete is part of the statistics that highlight the insecurity within the quilombola communities of Brazil. Land disputes are the main threat to the security of traditional communities
“I may not have the elements to say all [the reasons]
the land issue is adjacent to all this violence that traditional communities have suffered
especially quilombola communities,” said the public prosecutor and coordinator of the human rights area of the Public Ministry of Bahia
is putting pressure on quilombola territories
the real estate sector’s interest in areas valued by tourism and coastal developments is intensifying the pressure
is the advance of organized crime into quilombola territories
the geraizeiros and other traditional communities
“The state of Bahia cannot experience another situation like the one that happened to Binho
We cannot experience another situation of aggression
of violence against human rights defenders and we need to improve these protection and prevention mechanisms,” he warned
the Public Prosecutor's Office is responsible for pointing out the errors identified in these cases
“The Public Prosecutor's Office acts almost as a subsidiary to the omission of public entities
we shouldn't even be faced with situations like these
The Public Prosecutor's Office ends up being highlighted because of the void that is created in this scenario of public policy to protect these people.”
Chief of staff of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality of Bahia (Sepromi-BA)
Alexandro Reis highlighted the importance of granting titles to quilombola territories to end conflicts
because it gives communities security in terms of having their territory and land guaranteed to produce
Secondly, the preservation of the environment.”Quilombola communities have this important role of preserving the environment. Its production does not degrade biomes
it is a determination of our Federal Constitution
it is a matter of fundamental rights that it is the State's responsibility to guarantee”
Sepromi works with the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) to recognize quilombola territories
Quilombo Pitanga dos Palmares was certified in 2004 by the Palmares Cultural Foundation
In April 2024, Incra recognized approximately 854 hectares of land as officially belonging to the quilombola community. However, the The process of granting titles to quilombola territories in Brazil is extensive and time-consuming
Alexandro Reis explains that there is a task force working with INCRA
the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA)
the Attorney General's Office (AGU) and the Attorney General's Office of the State of Bahia (PGE-BA) to clear the area
The properties of non-quilombolas have been identified and notified
the federal government must negotiate compensation for the families' departure
According to last IBGE Census
Bahia is the state with the largest number of quilombolas in Brazil
There are 397.059 and only 5% live in demarcated territories
the ranking of deaths due to land conflicts
at least 11 quilombolas have been murdered in ten years
Despite a firm and solid fight for the title of quilombola territories
She joined the PPDDH and had been part of the program since 2017
“Every time we advance on the rights of these communities
the response is more violent from those who have no interest in these communities having possession of their territory
and the powers and economic forces question them,” said the Superintendent of Human Rights in the State of Bahia
She advocates reviewing protection strategies for people fighting for territories
highlighting the need to organize processes that accelerate land regularization
it is crucial to identify and eliminate threats arising from insecurity in land tenure
“It is necessary to reach territories with strong public policies
because it sends a message that that territory exists and is on the government’s action map
Another way is to strengthen the communities themselves and social movements
so that they can also build their own protection solutions
All spheres of government need to be in constant dialogue,” he warned.
but life in Quilombo Pitanga de Palmares continues
who became eternal in roots and now stands tall as a strong trunk among the ancestors
watching over those who walk under her protection.
The most relevant news for you to form your opinion on the socio-environmental agenda
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Palmares Ocean Living & Golf has underlined its status as one of the leading gems in the Algarve after it was chosen to stage a series of prestigious tournaments this winter
The luxury 27-hole resort has been the focal point of the region since the start of year
being selected to host no fewer than six events on the burgeoning PT Tour as well as the 44th edition of the Almond Blossom Tournament - the Algarve’s oldest amateur golf tournament - at the end of last month
Played across a combination of Palmares’ three nine-hole loops - the Alvor
Lagos and Praia - the PT Tour tournaments have attracted a collection of Portugal and the continent’s top golfers
with notable names including leading Portuguese stars Pedro Figueireido and Ricardo Melo Gouveia and Mark Power from Ireland
Gouveia and Lars Van Meijel have already celebrated victory at the venue over the last month and the pair will be among the players chasing success and a €15,000 prize fund when the venue stages the finale of the PT Tour
Palmares also had the honour of staging the Almond Blossom Tournament from January 21-25 last month - an event which is renowned throughout the Algarve for combining competitive spirit
camaraderie and the stunning backdrop of the Almond Blossom season
Leisure - Palmares Ocean Living & Golf’s management company
said: "It’s been a great start to the golfing year at Palmares and is fully deserved for a resort that is not just one of the best in Portugal but the whole of Europe
"Palmares offers the finest views in the region
allowing golfers to play while taking in the breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Lagos
The resort is honoured to have the opportunity to host this prestigious series of tournaments and looks forward to organising many more events of this calibre in the future."
Integrated into the natural amphitheatre of Bay of Lagos
Palmares’ 27-hole golf course - which was redesigned by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr
Portugal’s premier golfing destinations
with the golf offering complemented by an array of outstanding hospitality and gastronomic experiences and real-estate opportunities
These include the resort’s globally acclaimed clubhouse
winner of ‘Europe’s Best Clubhouse at the 2024 World Golf Awards and the setting for the Michelin starred restaurant AL SUD
Golfers looking to stay at Palmares can choose from a wide range of luxurious accommodation
two and three-bedroom signature apartments and a boutique Beach Hotel
Stay-and-play packages are available for both
with prices for a five-night bed-and-breakfast break for two people in an apartment starting from €356 per person
As well as Palmares, Details - Hospitality, Sports, Leisure - currently manages nine golf courses in Portugal, including Vilamoura and the newly rebranded PGA Aroeira Lisboa
The group also manages 18 hotels across the country
For more information, please visit https://palmaresliving.com/ or check out our travel partners Golfbreaks by clicking https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-gb/holidays/lagos/palmares-golf-club/
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JW Marriott has unveiled plans to open its debut property in Portugal
located within the existing Palmares Ocean Living & Golf resort
JW Marriott Algarve Palmares Hotel & Spa will open its doors at the start of 2028, offering 172 elegantly appointed rooms and suites with sea views, in addition to 133 JW Marriott branded residences
brought to life by RCR Arquitectes and Goddard Littlefair
weaves the region’s Moorish influences into a contemporary narrative
Each space unfolds as a sensory journey through the Algarve
where sun-weathered textures and artisanal details echo centuries of Portuguese craftsmanship and cultural heritage
Interiors by Goddard Littlefair compliment the architecture by ensuring a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces
“Our goal was to create interiors that feel deeply connected to the landscape
blending Moorish influences with the Algarve’s rich culture and craftsmanship,” says Martin Goddard
“The result is a space that feels immersive
tactile and in harmony with its surroundings
balancing refinement with a true sense of place — so that every guest feels not just welcomed but rooted in the beauty and history of this extraordinary setting.”
Multiple F&B venues will form part of the resort’s offer
a poolside bar and the Michelin-starred Al-Sud restaurant
facilities are set to include serene treatment suites
A 27-hole golf course meanwhile will round out the offering
comments: “This JW Marriott hotel will be the brand’s first in Portugal and will be the cornerstone to elevate the Palmares resort and set a new benchmark for the luxury tourism market in the Algarve.”
Senior Vice President for Development in Western Europe of Marriott International
also adds: “The signing of JW Marriott Algarve Palmares Hotel & Spa continues to reflect the strong growth opportunities we are seeing for luxury accommodation in Portugal
We look forward to working with the Norfin Group to bring JW Marriott’s legacy of extraordinary service
and enriching well-being experiences to the stunning destination.”
Registered in England and Wales with Company Number 06637145
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COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER
Costa Rica prepares for the 2025 Palmares Festival
This is among the most widely celebrated events in the nation and is eagerly awaited by Ticos and Ticas
This provides both residents and visitors ample opportunity to enjoy themselves
It’s a festive carnival event and one of the largest
drawing over one million visitors each year
Recognized for its vibrant atmosphere, varied activities, and cultural importance, the event has emerged as a key feature on Costa Rica’s social agenda. The festival takes place in Palmares
approximately 55 kilometers (34 miles) northwest of San José
directs a significant portion of the funds collected to social welfare organizations
Thousands of individuals journey from across the nation to participate in these celebrations
which offer a diverse range of attractions for everyone
The events include a Children’s Festival
A key element of the celebrations is the customary “Tope” equestrian parade
This spectacular event showcases thousands of riders displaying their finest horses
which include complex acrobatics like standing and dancing while on horseback
Attendees can also discover various outdoor tents featuring local cuisine
These late-night gatherings are a signature aspect of the event
offering chances to dance and mingle well into the evening
Palmares: “A Town to Make Friends,” highlights the festival as an ideal venue for fostering connections
Costa Ricans are known for their friendliness and warmth
and Palmares is just the perfect place to experience the pura vida that characterizes Ticos and Ticas
Ticket Prices range from 10,000 to 37,000 colones depending on the event and the artist
Nossos serviços estão apresentando instabilidade no momento
Algumas informações podem não estar disponíveis
from which users can access specific data about these traditional communities and peoples
The event and the publication are a partnership with the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Population Fund in Brazil (UNFPA)
The workshop "Brazil Quilombola: Potentialities of the census data for the quilombola population" will be presented on Friday morning (28) at Casa da ONU Brasil
highlights that "the recognition of the quilombola movement
which resisted and fought against enslavement
remains a key fight against inequalities in Brazil
A very vulnerable community that is growing
the Census of the quilombola population celebrates an important landmark for the valuation and recognition of quilombolas in Brazil
it assures that those communities have their identity
culture and social needs recognized by government and society
This process is key to assure the implementation of public policies that address more efficiently the quilombola demands
the Census of the quilombola population is also a means to consolidate data
view and strengthen the fights of quilombola communities for historical reparation
respect to its territories and preservation of cultural traditions
both the Census and the release of the publication "Brazil Quilombola" gather key steps for the formal recognition of the quilombola contributions to the territorial and cultural configuration of Brazil
says that the release "materializes the fact that we have
official statistics on the quilombola population." According to the manager
the study will bring a map with data on the quilombola concentration in the space
so as to help public managers in the implementation of policies to quilombolas
Fernando Damasco highlighted that "beyond the statistical information
the material shows the number of quilombola persons in the municipalities through easy-to-use maps and tables
streamlining the knowledge of its distribution along the national space and of the status of the recognition of its territories by the State."
The release event Brazil Quilombola will take two days:
experts in population censuses and representatives of civil society
Time: 2 pm Venue: Palmares Cultural Foundation Address: Q.2 South Autarchy Sector - South Wing
Presence should be confirmed up to March 25 through email asoares@unfpa.org, with a copy to quiroga@unfpa.org. The event will be streamed through Digital IBGE and IBGE´s social media
2025): Workshop "Brazil Quilombola: Potentialities of the census data for the quilombola population"
aiming at streamlining the access to information produced by the IBGE and potential use for the formulation
monitoring and assessment of public policies
Where to find and possibilities of using official geoscientific and statistical products on quilombolas
the course will be conducted by the IBGE training team for those who wish to learn a practical way of finding and extracting information from the data produced by the IBGE
The access to information and to the right of knowing how many we are and where we are is an essential human right
1- IBGE Portal 2- 2022 Census Overview 3- SIGC 4-PGI Time: 9 am Venue: Casa da ONU Brasil Address: North Embassies Sector-SEN Block 802
Brasília - Federal District Registration: can be made on-site
© 2018 IBGE - Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística
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Palmares Ocean Living & Golf’s landmark clubhouse has been shortlisted for the coveted accolade of ‘Europe’s Best Clubhouse’ at the annual World Golf Awards
Palmares Ocean Living & Golf’s clubhouse Palmares Ocean Living & Golf’s landmark clubhouse – one of the most distinctive 19th holes in European golf – has been shortlisted for the coveted accolade of ‘Europe’s Best Clubhouse’ at the annual World Golf Awards
which enjoys expansive panoramic views of the Bay of Lagos
the Alvor Estuary and the 27-hole venue’s nine-hole Praia loop
heads an impressive list of venues that have been nominated for the award
with the winner set to be announced at a glittering prize-giving ceremony in Madeira in November
Opened in autumn 2020, Palmares’ clubhouse was designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winners RCR Arquitectes
As well as being a centre for all golf and real-estate concierge services
the clubhouse – built with red concrete and blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment – is home to two restaurants that serve both golfers and residents
which acquired its Michelin star in just five months following its opening and has retained it every year since
offers inspired Mediterranean cuisine with strong local influence under the culinary expertise of the resort’s renowned head chef
Conjuring up contemporary fine dining with a creative touch
head chef Louis Anjos – who heads out of the kitchen to greet his guests in person – sources ingredients from the Algarve and its coastline to create an array of delectable dishes
including a well-balanced taster menu that gives special attention to seafood sourced daily from the auction in Sagres
Co-Chief Executive Officer of DETAILS said: “We’re thrilled to have one of our venues recognised and shortlisted for this top award
first-class customer service and a beautiful setting
there are few places better in Europe to relax and unwind after a round of golf
To be nominated for Europe’s Best Clubhouse at the 2024 World Golf Awards is testament to the hard work of all the team who help make the clubhouse such a welcoming and enjoyable place to be.”
Uniting leading industry figures from across the world
the World Golf Awards 2024 will take place from November 21-22
culminating in a grand prize-giving evening at the Savoy Palace
Voted for by professionals across the industry including golf tourism executives
each venue shortlisted for ‘Europe’s Best Clubhouse’ will be assessed across a number of set categories including the quality of facilities
architecture and design and location and setting
Integrated into the natural amphitheatre of Bay of Lagos
Palmares’ 27-hole golf course – redesigned by the renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr
in 2011 – continues to set the standard as one of Portugal’s premier golfing destinations
Featuring three distinct nine-hole loops – Alvor
and Praia – the course gracefully descends towards the ocean
offering a unique and challenging experience for golfers of all levels
Palmares is one of nine golf courses managed by Details - Hospitality
the group manages 16 hotels across the country
To vote for Palmares at the World Golf Awards, please go to Europe's Best Golf Clubhouse 2024 « World Golf Awards
For more information on Palmares, click here
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It's all over! The 97th Oscars ceremony took place last night in Los Angeles
and there were plenty of surprises in store for viewers who managed to brave the late hour of the French broadcast to watch the awards ceremony live
Jacques Audiard'sEmilia Pérez was nominated in 13 categories (a record for a French film)
just ahead of Brady Corbet'sThe Brutalist (with 10 nominations) and Jon Chu'sWicked (also with 10 nominations)
the whole of France was behind the film by Jacques Audiard
nominated in the most prestigious categories (Best Film
The big winner at the 2025 Oscars was Sean Baker'sAnora
bringing the total number of statuettes won tonight to 5: Best Picture
In the end,Emilia Pérez won 2 trophies (Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldaña and Best Song)
while The Brutalist walked away with 3 Oscars
So who are the other big winners at this year's ceremony
Discover the complete list of winners at the Oscars 2025
Refer your establishment, click herePromote your event, click here
Announced by the five international Juries during the Awards Ceremony that was held on Saturday 7th September at 7:00 pm
chaired by Isabelle Huppert and composed by James Gray
The ORIZZONTI Jury of the 81st Venice Film Festival
chaired by Debra Granik and composed by Ali Asgari
after screening the 19 feature-length films and 13 short films in competition has decided to award:
SHAHED (THE WITNESS) by Nader Saeivar (Germany
LION OF THE FUTURE – “LUIGI DE LAURENTIIS” VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM Jury at the 81st Venice Film Festival
chaired Gianni Canova and comprised of Ricky D’Ambrose
LION OF THE FUTURE “LUIGI DE LAURENTIIS” VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM to:
chaired by Renato De Maria and comprised of 24 students of Cinema
chosen from the professors of Italian University Cinema programmes
chaired by Celine Daemen and comprised of Marion Burger e Adriaan Lokman
after viewing the 26 projects in competition has decided to award:
The Jury will assign the Golden Lion for Best Film and the other official awards of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival
The honour to the German director and screenwriter will be awarded during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival (27 August – 6 September)
Final project of the 9th edition of Biennale College Cinema – Immersive 2024-25 now selected
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This work systematizes the main results of the 2022 Population Census relative to quilombolas and their communities
The participants of the opening panel session were Marcio Pochmann
president of Palmares Cultural Foundation and Júnia Quiroga
assistant representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Brazil
population census experts and representatives of civil society
mentioned the innovation in the 2022 Population Census
which presented information o the quilombola population
“This survey is a contribution to the formation of a deeper Brazil
The role of georeferenced statistics adds to the opening of a representation space for a once invisible group
This is the role of the IBGE: to reveal who we are and how we live.”
João Jorge Rodrigues highlighted the importance of finding out about the profile of quilombolas in Brazil
“We needed indicators to create public policies for the several ministries in order to benefit this population that is still marginal in current Brazil
we may reach this objective,” said the president of Palmares Foundation
highlighted the importance of the partnership with the IBGE
“It is essential for us to cooperate with the IBGE and
give visibility to both the national experience and the work of the IBGE in the national context
but also expand such visibility beyond country borders.” According to Queiroga
besides being a reason for pride in the country
the Population Census has contributed significantly to the development of other continents
The launch was also attended by representatives of the Attorney's General Office (AGU)
the Brazilian Office of the Comptroller General (CGU)
Federal Public Defender's Office of Brazil (DPU)
municipal administrations and other institutions
are parts of a partnership with the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Population Fund in Brazil
there was a presentation of the workshop O Brasil Quilombola: Potentialities of the census data for the quilombola population
located at the Embassy Sector - Norte-SEN Quadra 802
Data and overview of the quilombola population
the professional in charge of the Technical Projects on Traditional Peoples and Communities of the IBGE
manager of Traditional Territories and Protected Areas of the Division of Territory Structures
this is a "historical Census because it shows how many the quilombolas are and how they live
That was only possible due to meetings and the consultation with CONAQ (National Coordination of Articulation of the Quilombola Rural Black Communities)
INCRA (National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform)
MDA (Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Farming) and other related bodies
Marta Antunes took the opportunity to speak about IBGE Educa and what people can access about the quilombola population
She remarked that the site makes available different types of material
which can be accessed and shared online or printed
promoting engagement for the Quilombola Census and the instructive use of data
Marta also emphasized that IBGE Educa offers activities for directors
teachers and the school community in general
in order to expand the dissemination of information and to strengthen partnerships of the IBGE in the construction of easier and more inclusive access to data
Fernando Damasco presented O Brasil Quilombola and mentioned the fact that its objective is to increase access to the 2022 Census results
by means of more accessible and summarized material
“This publication has the objective of fulfilling the commitment of the IBGE
so that the results of our surveys will reach the biggest possible number of persons
Fernando spoke about the educational function of the material
developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education
gathering both statistical and geographical data about the distribution of the quilombola population in Brazil
“The idea is that every quilombola leader can find themselves when in contact with this publication
easy and objective manner.” He explained that the material is also intended to strengthen claims for rights of these communities
Marta Antunes and Pedro - Photo: Ingrid Dias
the quilombola population was identified in a population census
the one in 2022 - the most important portrait in demographic
geographic and socioeconomic aspects of the country
The 2022 Census visited localities in Quilombola territories identified by the IBGE; and of other areas of interest in the census
related to sparsely distributed quilombola localities
The quilombola population living in Brazil is 1,330,186 persons (0.66%)
Through a note, the Communication Secretariat of the Territorial Division confirmed on Monday the death of a four-year-old girl, who was rescued and taken to the State General Hospital, in Maceio, when the school bus that was carrying 48 people overturned in a 400-meter ravine.
Witnesses said the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure and the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Firefighter teams have been searching the area since early Monday to help in the crash’s investigation.
The group of passengers, including many children, were on their way to the Quilombo dos Palmares Memorial Park to participate in the Black Consciousness Day program, some survivors and relatives of the victims noted.
The Communication Secretariat reported that 29 people were taken to the Regional Hospital of Mata, in Union dos Palmares.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva regretted the death of people in the bus crash.
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Vai além de poder ser um feriado; é um momento de consciência
de diálogo sobre todas as formas de preconceito
discriminação e racismo que atinge toda a sociedade
It goes beyond simply being a holiday; it's a moment of consciousness
discrimination and racism that hits the entire society
Map showing the Quilombo dos Palmares region in the 17th century and Zumbi, one of its leaders. Art over images. Public domain
Zumbi would escape and become Palmares’ leader
Historian Jean Marcel Carvalho França, co-author of a book entitled ”Three times Zumbi: The Construction of a Brazilian hero” (“Três vezes Zumbi: A construção de um herói brasileiro”), noted to Superinteressante magazine that historical documentation about Zumbi is not only very scarce but also usually written by Europeans sources:
porque você não tem descrições diretas do Zumbi
Você tem descrições das organizações do Quilombo
Agora sobre o Zumbi especificamente você não tem quase dado nenhum
It is hard to know because you don't have direct descriptions of Zumbi
you have descriptions of the organization within the quilombo
About Zumbi specifically you almost have no data at all
Around 1680, Palmares would start a period of decay
The settler leading this mission was promised land in the region and also the agreement that he could turn some of the inhabitants into his slaves
On November 20 1695, after one of his companions exposed his whereabouts, Zumbi dos Palmares was ambushed and killed. His head was cut off and displayed in a public square in Recife
which is responsible for officially recognizing the territories
Black Consciousness March in São Paulo, in 2023, with posters saying ‘Enough with the slaughter. Black people alive!’ and Black Movement Unified. Photo: Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil/Used with permission
The date marking the death of Zumbi was first suggested in the 1970s as a remembrance day by the cultural and political activist Palmares Group
the capital of the southernmost state of Brazil
Matinal mentions documents available at the National Archive that include a file on the poet Oliveira Silveira
one of Palmares Group's leaders and one of the people responsible for the ideation of Black Consciousness Day
One of the records says: ”The insistence of ‘awakening a Black consciousness’ among Brazilians of African descent raises concerns.”
told Matinal the group had to ask for permission to have their 1971 event as well
she celebrated the day by honoring her father's legacy and the gaucho southern heritage of Black Brazilians
On November 21, the federal government, acting in the name of the Brazilian state, apologized for enslaving people and the effects of slavery later on. As reported by Agência Brasil
the Human Rights Minister Macaé Evaristo said:
A gente sabe que essa memória está na construção da sociedade brasileira de mais de 300 anos de escravatura
Porque o 14 de maio começa com o total abandono da população negra no país
Ele começa com a total ausência de políticas públicas
Ele começa com a negação da nossa humanidade
We know that this memory is built into Brazilian society from over 300 years of slavery
it doesn't end with May 13 [when the abolition was signed]
Because May 14 starts with the total abandonment of the African descent population in this country
It starts with a total absence of public policies
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Everything came together for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot at her fourth Olympic Games
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (France) wins the Olympic cross-country mountain bike title at Elancourt Hill
Ferrand-Prévot told Eurosport after the race
this wild and winding epic about a community of Africans who have escaped slavery is a revelation
she has reimagined the lives of Black women across North
The title is the surname of the man who raped and enslaved Ursa’s grandmother a century earlier in Brazil
said: “No book about any Black woman will ever be the same after this.” James Baldwin called it “the most brutally honest and painful revelation of what has occurred
One day a Black woman arrives at the plantation in a carriage. Her bare feet peep out from “a long silk gown full of pleats and folds and ruffles”. Almeyda asks if she is a slave or a free woman, and the woman replies with disdain – either for the distinction or the categories themselves: “I am neither kind.” The woman is from Palmares.
Almeyda’s journeys to and from Palmares are winding and wild
Six long sections are broken into short episodes resembling Brazilian contos (tales)
with titles such as The Russian and A Man of Wealth and Light Skin and a Woman Convicted of Casting Love Spells
She learns the healing properties of plants and animals
If you try to read the book over a weekend
in the west African and Afro-Brazilian oral traditions
which had a governance structure based on that of contemporary west African states
Almeyda meets a still-enslaved Black woman
who explains to Almeyda: “You are a free woman
I am a slave.” Almeyda collapses the distinction: “I said that [Nobrega] could oil and wash [my hair] only if I oiled and brushed hers in return.”
Palmares takes us to a key moment in the invention of race and gender
the influence of unstable constructs such as race
moving with beauty and abundance between meticulous documentation and surrealism
singing with Portuguese and Indigenous words and phrases
Palmares reinvents 17th-century Black Brazil in all its multiplicity
It is a once-in-a-lifetime work of literature
the kind that changes your understanding of the world
Yara Rodgrigues Fowler’s Stubborn Archivist is published by Fleet. Palmares by Gayl Jones is published by Virago (£18.99). To support the Guardian and the Observer buy a copy at guardianbookshop.com
Legacy of African Brazilians honored on 329th anniversary of resistance leader Zumbi’s death by Portuguese forces
harsh conditions prompted a string of uprisings
often resulting in the establishment of quilombos – independent communities formed by escaped Africans who were formerly enslaved
None were more prominent than the one known as Palmares, where, in the 17th century, as many as 11,000 people lived in a string of communities across parts of the north-eastern states of Alagoas and Pernambuco
But the roughly 100-year history of what historians regard as the most significant resistance movement against slavery in Brazil began to unravel on 20 November 1695
was captured by Portuguese colonial forces and killed
the date will for the first time be marked as a national public holiday: Black Consciousness Day
which has been a longstanding demand of Black movements that still face attacks from the far right
A series of events – including at least 38 in São Paulo alone – will mark the date nationwide
Palmares and the ongoing fight for racial equality
“Palmares was the largest quilombo in the Americas, both in terms of its longevity and population,” said Danilo Luiz Marques, a historian and professor at the Federal University of Alagoas.
Some researchers have described Palmares – whose first records date back to 1590 – as the earliest form of a republic to emerge on Brazilian soil. Marques, however, argues that it was a Bantu kingdom, reflecting the central-African language family to which most Africans brought to Brazil belonged.
Read moreBlack movements in Brazil have celebrated the names of Zumbi and Palmares since the early 20th century at the earliest
but it was only in 1971 that 20 November became a key date
Activists had sought a date to contrast with another historically associated with Black people: 13 May
13 May had traditionally been used to exalt the white princess who signed the abolition decree: Isabel
“The princess was glorified as if she had granted a favour to the enslaved people; as if she were a heroine,” said Deivison Campos
a historian and professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
“The Palmares group sought to counter this narrative
proposing 20 November as a way to honour the collective struggle for the inclusion of Black people in Brazilian society,” he said
with Black activists arguing it cannot be ignored since abolition was primarily the result of Black resistance
20 November has become so popular that November is now informally known as Brazil’s Black Consciousness Month
The law to make Black Consciousness Day Brazil’s 10th national holiday – signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in December 2023 – was passed amid significant resistance from conservatives
labelling it the Day of Black Victimisation
the Day of the Black Mind Enslaved by the Left or the Day of Resentment for the Past
Some within the far-right even doubt the existence of Palmares or its most famous leader despite extensive historical evidence
“Falsehoods have always been used to attack Black history,” said Marques
Brazil’s largest television network, Rede Globo, will mark the date with a 50-minute primetime special focusing on the wrongful imprisonment of Black individuals based on photographic identification – a widespread issue in the country
“In Brazil, Black people continue to be imprisoned, deprived of freedom, a healthy life and the chance to realise their dreams simply because they are Black,” said the special’s creator and presenter
a public holiday because it allows us to pause and reflect on Brazil’s Black history
We were the ones who built this nation,” he added
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Jones’s first novel in 20 years is an intricate
American author Gayl Jones was famously introduced to the world in 1975 by her then editor
declared that “no novel about any black woman could ever be the same after this”
was lauded by James Baldwin and Maya Angelou
after being pushed down a flight of stairs by her husband
The book examines the trauma that haunts her
tracing it back to the fact that her great-grandmother and grandmother were raped by 19th-century Brazilian slave owner Corregidora
further explores the lives of those affected by the slave trade in Brazil
The story is told from the perspective of Almeyda
an enslaved seven-year-old when the book begins
who lives on a plantation in the northeastern state of Bahia with her mother and grandmother
remain as slavesAlmeyda is curious about everything
the near-mute indigenous housekeeper of priest Father Tollinare
who has been conducting experiments by teaching enslaved children how to read and write
“Do you believe Father Tollinare makes love with the woman Mexia?” she asks her mother
Sadistic plantation owner Entralgo plans to give Almeyda to a man in search of a black virgin’s blood to cure him of disease
but her mother provides her with a “secret” dark herb water to protect her
he grows frustrated: “She won’t be entered
It keeps pushing me out.” This is one of several moments in which Jones uses concoctions
rituals and clairvoyance to imagine the protection of the historically unprotected
Almeyda is eventually separated from her family and ends up in Palmares
a place in which Black people live unshackled and a real 17th-century self-governed community of roughly 20,000 fugitive enslaved and rescued people in what is today the state of Alagoas
Jones attempts to deconstruct the concept of utopia
Though Palmares is seemingly the promised land
those forcibly dragged from plantations or women unwilling to marry remain as slaves
When Almeyda marries a Muslim man called Anninho
That one is destroyed… Generation of destroyed villages
She learns how to survive in the wild on berries and how to make herself look old to circumvent detection
the conveyor belt of new characters is disorienting
Her breasts were large...” is a typical sentence
But it’s a small price to pay for a book that’s full of imagination and visionary thinking
Jones is back with a formidable novel steeped in history
Palmares by Gayl Jones is published by Virago (£18.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com
This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025
The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media
The history of enslaved Africans in Brazil is one of horrific exploitation and violence
but also of heroic resistance and anti-colonial struggle
Nowhere is this as clear as in the experiences of the 16th century settlement of escaped slaves
which fought for survival and independence against colonial powers
Tratado dos viventes: Companhia das letras (São Paulo: Companhia das Letras
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}); The numbers portray in a frighteningly patent way the magnitude of the slave-trading enterprise
Behind the numbers were the lives of millions of Africans who made history
both in what was to become Brazil as well as in Africa
Black people kidnapped from Africa cannot be reduced to these staggering numbers; at every moment
they asserted themselves as agents of their own lives
The degree of violence and oppression they suffered is immeasurable
The responses of enslaved Black women and men to this violence and oppression are part of the tradition of all oppressed peoples and classes of the world
This can be seen quite clearly if we examine certain aspects of Brazil’s main quilombo
or settlement of escaped African slaves: Palmares
Slavery had a profound impact on Africans’ way of life
Capitalism made its entry into Africa through the captivity of its people
Black women and men in Africa reacted to this process in different ways
as part of a complex of possibilities that we do not yet fully understand
Their forms of social organization were diverse
The enslaved people who arrived in Brazil mostly came from West Africa — as was the case of those who ended up in the northeast
specifically in Bahia — and from Central Africa
To grasp the dimension of the changes caused by oppression and the violence of slavery
one must explore this diverse universe of African cultures
the tradition of resistance we examine here does not begin with the arrival of enslaved people to Brazilian ports
we will limit our discussion to just a small
Africans responded to slavery by adopting or reinforcing a nomadic way of life
with the aim of defending themselves against traffickers
After listing some of the impacts of the arrival of commercial capital to Africa and its relationship with nomadic life
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But like all quilombos in Brazil and elsewhere in the Americas
one can only understand its existence and resistance for such a long time by examining its relationship with nearby cities and farms
the enslaved people of the senzalas (slave camps)
The people of Palmares not only occupied physical space but also an intricate and decisive network of relations with the colony; these took many forms
the exchange of goods and information and the kidnapping of enslaved men and women
The escape of enslaved people was part of the colonial reality
and plantation owners and authorities were forced to adapt to it
The plantation owners’ cries for greater security from the government were often answered with eloquent words
and chasing after slaves was an expensive endeavor
which is why it was the private responsibility of plantation owners when it came to just a few captives
There was never a political-social balance in the colony
It was necessary to adapt to these precarious conditions
which meant seeking to destroy the quilombos when they emerged as a significant threat and to soften the repression when the risk was not as great
Palmares became a source of tension for the colony:
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the experience of 1624 merely highlighted an understanding that seemed to be widespread among slaves: Holland had no more to offer than Portugal
The residents of Palmares used the conflict between Holland and the colony to strengthen their positions
bands of armed enslaved people kept the two armies under constant pressure
This even led to diminished hostility between the armies
the mood of the last Portuguese people who still resisted in the village of Porto Calvo bordered on despair
They began to systematically intercept trains from Bahia carrying food and ammunition for the troops
It was only in May 1636 that an expedition led by Bahia’s sergeant major
severely disrupted the activities of Black guerrillas
The conflict came to have a profound impact on the arrival of enslaved people
Palmares would be the most significant domestic concern of Dutch Recife
Pernambuco was valuable precisely because of the relationship between slavery and sugar
The destruction of Palmares was thus strategically essential
The Dutch took the confrontation with Palmares to a new level
The repression would increasingly take place in the woods near Serra da Barriga
It would take 50 more years to destroy Palmares
the recovery of Recife by the Portuguese and especially from 1660 onward
A combination of repressive methods was implemented in the 1660s.8All governors of Pernambuco were assigned the primary task of destroying Palmares
It could be said that the governors’ balance sheets depended to a great extent on the degree of destruction inflicted on Palmares
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}); The colonizers sought to use nearby settlements as a base for supplies for expeditions and to force the movement of Palmares into the interior
and amnesty was granted to prisoners who took part in the campaigns against Palmares
The destruction of bushland relatively close to Palmares and the reinforcement of the siege on the settlement
led to a more direct struggle between them and the military expeditions
The always complex and intricate relationship between Serra da Barriga and the cities became more intense
In a confrontation with an important expedition of more than 300 men launched by the authorities of Serinhaém
who was still a military leader under the command of Ganga Zumba
The result of that expedition was the murder of Palmares residents
sick and wounded soldiers and a defeat of the people
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The mocambos defended themselves against the heightened attacks with bushland guerrilla tactics and with the improvement of their own fortifications
through a greater social division of labor
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With the reinforcement of military expeditions, albeit at a high cost to the colony and its provinces, Palmares was increasingly under threat.11“The wars against the people of Palmares in the 1670s and 1680s began to weaken Palmares
several military leaders were arrested and killed
The constant and necessary displacements of the people of Palmares undermined their resistance
There was no time to plan further evacuations and reorganize their economy.” Ibid
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intensified under the command of Antônio Vieira
who was believed to protect those dedicated to the destruction of Palmares
which had already made some headway in the mid-1660s
and the demarcation of their lands by the Crown
Captives who fled to Palmares were to be handed over to the authorities and the residents of Palmares would be considered vassals of the king
and this acceptance was fiercely opposed by an important leader of the resistance named Zumbi
An irreparable division emerged in the heart of Palmares
under the impact of the peace treaty and the continued expeditions
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Ganga-Zumba was appointed general of the Crown and was followed by several mocambos to Cucaú
He feared internal reprisals and retaliation by the people of Palmares:
Several, in fact, abandoned the mocambo of Cucaú and joined the ranks of Zumbi. The leader’s fears were justified: Ganga-Zumba ended up being poisoned and many of his followers were executed.13Ibid
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Freitas goes so far as to assert that the followers of Ganga Zumba were actually supporters of Zumbi who had devised a plan to destroy Cucaú and assassinate Ganga Zumba as well as all those who agreed with the terms of peace.14Freitas
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the colony needed to serve its purpose better than ever
the district of Pernambuco no longer achieved the same levels of productivity as before
Sugar production was undergoing a significant crisis in the late 17th century
largely because the Dutch were expelled and settled in the Caribbean
where they began to produce sugar under better conditions
Palmares had come to symbolize Pernambuco’s problems and had to be destroyed
The Crown had always kept a watchful eye on Palmares
King Pedro II had not yet given up on the possibility of a peace agreement
His intention was to seek an agreement once more
Souto Maior was appointed governor of Pernambuco on February 19
with the express aim of reaching a peace agreement with the people of Palmares
The proposal was embraced by the sugar mill owners
who understood that any attempt at peace had failed in 1678
More than a century before Toussaint L’Ouverture corresponded with Napoleon
the king of Portugal sent Zumbi a letter seeking to get him to accept a deal:
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We have no knowledge of a reply from Zumbi
his response was imbued with what he understood as the spirit of the French Revolution in the colonies — freedom — which led him to wage a national war of liberation against the French Empire
had nothing to offer the people of Palmares
he took advantage of the governor’s policy by sending counterproposals for an agreement
which he deliberately substituted for new ones when they were accepted
He certainly used this opportunity to buy time and rebuild his forces
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the idea resurfaced of using people of São Paulo for local repressive expeditions
Militias were formed that eventually proved capable of causing great damage to Palmares
but they were unable to totally destroy them
The fame of the Paulistas as hunters of runaway slaves and destroyers of quilombos was already at its peak in the colony
Yet the interests in Palmares were diverse
The colonizers agreed it had to be destroyed
but what to do with the lands was another story
There were a number of soldiers and plantation owners who claimed the land as part of their payment for previous expeditions
The eagerness to destroy Palmares placed Paulistas in an advantageous bargaining position
The leader of the São Paulo expedition that would ultimately defeat Palmares was Domingos Jorge Velho
He achieved this with a troop of almost a thousand men
an “uprising of Janduí indigenous people in Rio Grande do Norte” led the Paulistas away from the region
They returned to Pernambuco to attack Palmares only in 1691
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The increased firepower was made possible by the arrival of cannons and 200 men on February 3
An additional barrier was built from the 4th to the 5th
when Zumbi discovered that the barrier had been built at dawn on the 5th
he ordered that the person responsible for surveillance be beheaded
He was certainly aware of the magnitude of the threat
an evacuation of Palmares was quickly prepared
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The victory of the Paulistas was celebrated with the ecstatic colonial authorities
“The governor proclaimed his exultation: ‘It did not seem appropriate to delay the report to Your Majesty of the glorious restoration of the Palmares
This happy victory is valued no less than the expulsion of the Dutch
and so it was celebrated by all these peoples.’” jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_14246_1_29').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_14246_1_29'
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Governor Melo e Castro said that ‘Zumbi fought valiantly and desperately
not wanting to surrender even to his companions
it was necessary to kill them and only the one got caught alive.’ Afterwards
Furtado de Mendonça [the Paulista responsible for the expedition] said that when he saw the ‘Black man dead
quite dead,’ he thanked God for the glory he had achieved.” jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_14246_1_33').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_14246_1_33'
the colonial authorities of Pernambuco would continue to receive news of mocambos established there in the mountainous regions where the people of Palmares had once lived.” jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_14246_1_35').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_14246_1_35'
Palmares would continue to represent the greatest threat of Black resistance in the imaginations of the colonial authorities
It was thus considered essential to prevent the emergence of a new Palmares
an insurmountable barrier for colonial elites
Not only in Brazil but in all of the Americas
Palmares did not end with Velho’s expedition
It survived in the minds of the colonial elites
terrorizing them with the constant reminder of what was possible
The fear of the spread of new uprisings like that of Palmares throughout Brazil would continue to haunt the colonial authorities
inspiring the repressive policies of the colony (and the empire) until the end of slavery
Notes[]
Black Struggle
Brazil
Imperialism
Trump’s first 100 days have shown that “peace through strength” is fundamentally an experimental
It is not at all peaceful or as strong as its proponents claim
Trump’s zigzags on tariffs could undermine his credibility in an escalating trade war with China
which threatens to violently “decouple” the two economies
Despite claiming to offer an alternative to Shawn Fain's chauvinistic defense of U.S
Sean Crawford and Labor Notes are just putting forward a slightly more progressive vision of business unionism
workers across the world turned out to organize and demonstrate against the growing global threat posed by Trump and the Far Right
The United States has already killed hundreds of civilians in its imperialist bombing of Yemen
the Trump administration is indicating that it may back a ground invasion
threatening to throw the country into a civil war
Leftists who claim the mantle of internationalism must speak out against the reactionary nationalism that the Russian and Ukrainian regimes are using to crack down on dissent
and left organizations rallied across the United States
showing the widespread anger at Trump’s reactionary agenda
To defeat the Far Right workers and students need to organize from below — not rely on the Democratic Party that sabotages labor and capitulates to the right
To celebrate Black Awareness Day on 20 November, the figure of Zumbi dos Palmares, a key figure in the fight against slavery in Brazil, will be commemorated on the same date of his murder. The Maloka Association
will pay homage via a collective concert which
dance and the interventions of anti-racist projects such as the Sindicato de Manteros (the Union of Street Vendors)
honours the legacy of the Black and Afro-descendent population in Brazil
The activity also looks to heighten awareness of their invaluable contribution to culture and the difficulties racism creates.
Art and culture have always been present in the daily life of this community as they operate as a form of resistance and a medium to maintain the link with their roots
Brazilian musical rhythms draw inspiration from this African root and the concert performed here opens a space to weave community ties between the different cultures that live in Madrid
starting with respect and recognition for Afro-descendent heritage as a positive and integrating pillar of society
The activity is held within the framework of Anti-racist and Anti-colonial Autumn
an initiative of different anti-racist collectives and organisations from Madrid to honour the memory of Lucrecia Pérez
the first murder in Spain to be officially ruled a hate crime
Numerous collectives and organisations have come together to organise cultural
community knowledge-creating and collective memory activities centred on migrant and racialised people that are reference points in the Spanish State and united under the slogan: “Without anti-racism there is no future and only by uniting can we be heard”
In Madrid she previously worked as a percussion teacher
forming the group Batucada Feminista da Maloka
who make percussion instruments with recycled material
She currently participates in different Afro-Brazilian dance projects
investigating and interpreting the dance genre to regain ancestry and to recover art forms that have gone unnoticed for many years
he toured Europe with the companies Rio Samba Show
Carnaval Brasil and Batucada Carioca and currently plays as a percussionist in the groups Samba y Algo Más
Batata Galiza is a multi-percussionist with broad professional experience in both Brazil and Spain
He has lived and worked in Spain for over thirty years
with notable performances at different events organised by Madrid City Council and on television programmes
he has joined a number of international samba groups
and is currently part of the Samba de Terraza circle.
Gil Gomes is a percussionist who has lived in Spain since 2010
participating in Forró du Luiz in Sala Barco and working on different collaborations with artists from the Brazilian scene in Madrid
as well as playing at an array of venues and concert halls
He has collaborated with Spanish artists such as Rosendo
and currently plays percussion with the group Litoral Soul
in addition to working with other artists.
music producer and educator who works across multiple artistic languages
he conducted more in-depth research into the world of popular Brazilian music and explored further his work as an art educator
which culminated in the publication of the book Caderno de Ritmos Brasileiros e Instrumentos de Percussão (2015)
dancer and composer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
gaining renown and popularity in the Afro-Indian community via Headlines Today Television
where he develops his own world music art project
dextrously plays different percussion instruments and performs his own compositions
He has participated in different cultural shows in Spain
and currently plays with Samba y Algo Más at Café Berlín and is part of different samba projects
as well as playing with Roda de Choro in Madrid
Muzzangue is a multidisciplinary visual artist
choreographer and social anthropologist with a postgraduate degree in the Culture and Thought of Black People and Gender Equality
he received the “Best of Brazil in Europe” award from High Profile magazine
He has also collaborated with renowned national and international artists
Nar Ndiaye is a percussionist who plays the djembe
tama and other African percussion instruments
both griots — storytellers in poetic and musical forms — he inherited his way of telling stories and teaching music
A prolific presence in Madrid’s music scene
he is part of different projects as a dancer and backing or musical percussionist
he has played and danced with different ensembles while developing his solo work
For many years he has performed on different stages in the Spanish capital
most notably participating in different editions of FITUR
and with different Spanish television channels during carnival
he was invited by the Teatro Defondo company to be the musical director on the work La ópera del malandro
which was presented for a month-long period at Madrid’s Teatro Fernán Gómez
accompanied by Brazilian musicians living in Madrid
reflects the fusion and authenticity of his live performances
compiles songs from his original repertoire and aims to promote and help to preserve culture and natural resources from his native city
Collaboration with different agents and international political and cultural collectives
A confederation of artistic internationalism made up of seven European museums
LOS ANGELES — These are woke times in the theater
This past weekend I saw a play about the women of the French Revolution including a Haitian Marianne demanding the end of slavery in the colonies and the independence of Saint-Domingue
And the next night (June 3) a musical drama about the Republic of Palmares that resisted the Portuguese in the Northeast of Brazil for almost a century (1605-1694)
Let’s visit them chronologically—Brazil today
Communist historian Herbert Aptheker was among the very first to document that where there is slavery
and in many instances the establishment of free communities
Such places existed all throughout the Americas—North
Palmares was historically one of the longest such places in existence
pointedly calling itself a “republic,” recalling a form of democracy from the ancient world even before the first modern republic was declared (France
This republic had its great warrior King Ganga Zumba
Political uncertainty helped give rise to the settlement of Palmares
Portuguese rule in the Brazilian Northeast
then the most developed part of a vast subcontinent still largely unexplored by the European invaders
So while the Portuguese forces were distracted
mostly engaged in sugar production in the coastal regions
comprised a territory larger than that of Portugal itself
forswearing loyalty to the Portuguese crown which had only brought them exile
and well-organized society free of slavery
Palmares attracted not only escaped Africans
such as conscripted Portuguese soldiers who made common cause with the republic
made for a fully functioning society where a new model of human happiness flourished
albeit under constant threat from the Portuguese
some 30,000 free men and women are living in their Palmares nation
Their children are born free of the curse of slavery
Once the Dutch have been defeated and expelled
the Portuguese redouble their efforts to conquer and subjugate the republic
Comparisons to modern history are inevitable: What kind of example to the world does a non-aligned Cuba or Chile or Venezuela set?—or Vietnam or Libya or Grenada
Such symbols of resistance to imperialist oppression must be destroyed
Despite their best efforts at self-defense
the inhabitants of Palmares are not always capable of monitoring the entry of spies and traitors into their midst
(One character in the play is the Bush Captain
a Black man who hunts down people of his own kind for ransom.) The Portuguese are aware that King Ganga Zumba is getting old and tired now
He would like to make peace and avoid fighting a bloody
He also would like to believe that the Portuguese have exhausted their treasury and now seek peace
The Portuguese governor in Recife, the main coastal city and capital of Pernambuco, offers a peace treaty in exchange for the escapees’ return to a fertile plantation named Cacaú near the coast and closer to the authorities
they will once again fall under the aegis of the Portuguese crown (and over time
perhaps can be effectively reenslaved—slavery in Brazil was not abolished until 1888)
King Ganga Zumba and his entourage are invited to Recife
where people line the streets to witness their arrival
honored and feted as equal powers to the Portuguese
and promised a future of peace and comfort
and threatening as he sets his last and best offer before the king
knows the Portuguese and sees through their deceitful trap
Part of the Governor’s deal is “full pardon for your people,” but what crime have they committed
The proposed treaty also states that Cacaú must return all runaways to their masters
Zumbi prefers to go on defending the Republic of Palmares
believing the Portuguese are offering nothing the citizens of Palmares don’t already have
slaves on the plantations outnumber the whites four-to-one
the entire land could instead become part of one big Palmares
A power struggle between the two great leaders unleashes a kind of civil war
with part of the population decamping to Cacaú and the rest remaining to fight to the death
All this is told with blessings and incantations to the African spirits
and movements typical of Brazilian candomblé
comparable to santería or voodoo in other Western Hemisphere expressions of diaspora African culture
athletic dance form without disguising its roots as a martial art
is much in display among the highlights of the 90-minute pageant
Palmares is part of the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival
Conceived years ago in another form and now enjoying its latest elaboration
it was scripted by Vayabobo on a story by himself
it is presented by Brasil Brasil Cultural Center
The choreographer is Ashley Monique Blanchard and the musical director is George Karpasitis
The sound design is by Karpasitis and Amen Santo
The critical stunt coordinator is Phillipos Haile
Palmares is a compelling story of a people fighting to preserve their freedom against the imperialism of their time
told in the most accessible and exuberant way possible
This true history is the stuff of which legends are made
If you travel south from Recife today, in the state of Pernambuco, you will pass the town of present-day Palmares, and then cross into the small state of Alagoas, whose capital city is Maceió. As of December 1999, the international airport there (MCZ) is named after Zumbi dos Palmares (1645–1695)
nationally recognized among the pioneers of resistance to slavery in Brazil
Palmares plays at the Broadwater (Main Stage), 1076 Lillian Way, in Hollywood, just around the corner south of Santa Monica Blvd. Additional performances take place Sat., June 10 at 8:00 p.m.; Fri., June 16 at 6:30 p.m.; Sat., June 17 at 12:30 p.m.; and Sun., June 25 at 1:00 p.m. For online ticketing go here
wrote a biography of radical American composer Marc Blitzstein and co-authored composer Earl Robinson’s autobiography
He has received numerous awards for his People's World writing from the International Labor Communications Association
He has translated all nine books of fiction by Manuel Tiago (pseudonym for Álvaro Cunhal) from Portuguese
available from International Publishers NY
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médaillé d'or aux mondiaux sur 20km
Eric Perrot clame haut et fort ses ambitions pour le futur..
Eric Perrot affiche publiquement de grandes ambitions pour la suite après avoir réussi cet hiver la meilleure saison de sa jeune carrière
Interrogé par le Dauphiné
le Savoyard ne se fixe aucune limite et évoque même son envie d'égaler Martin Fourcade
« C’est ultra flatteur d’être comparé à des immenses champions
C’est amusant de se dire que je commence à cocher des cases qui petit à petit pourraient me rapprocher de lui
Ce qui est sûr c’est que j’ai l’ambition d’atteindre des palmarès comme le sien
Je sais le chemin qu’il y a à parcourir
Il reste encore 80 courses à aller chercher avant d’être Martin Fourcade
C’est facile de partir un peu fort mais le but c’est de lisser cet effort sur le long terme
VALLEJO – Three weeks after voters went to the polls
former school board Trustee Ruscal Cayangyang conceded on Wednesday
congratulating Charles Palmares for winning the District 4 seat on the Vallejo City Council
Out of the three separate council contests for city council, District 4, which represents Mare Island and Downtown, was the closest race as Palmares won with a slim 62-vote margin over Cayangyang, according to official results from the Solano County Registrar of Voters
"Our campaign wishes to congratulate the victor in this year’s election for Vallejo City Council District 4,” Cayangyang said in a statement
“We felt it was crucial to wait until all the votes were counted
I look forward to working together for the betterment of Vallejo with elected officials and residents alike.”
a member of the city’s planning commission
on his way to also defeating two other challengers
and former Planning Commissioner Chris Platzer
Both Palmares and Cayangyang ran grassroots campaigns with Palmares declining to accept or solicit endorsements or campaign contributions from political action committees or current and former elected officials
Cayangyang was backed by Mayor Robert McConnell and Councilmember Cristina Arriola (District 6 - South Vallejo)
Cayangyang served on the school board from 2015 to 2018. He was appointed to the board in January 2015 when Richard Porter
who won in the November 2014 school board elections
Cayangyang placed fourth in the election for three open school board seats
Cayangyang easily won election to the board in November 2016
defeating former school board Trustee Hazel Wilson to complete the final two years of Porter’s original term
He lost reelection to the school board in 2018
Palmares will be joined on the council in January by Diosdado “J.R.” Matulac
who won the election for District 2 - North Vallejo
who won election for District 5 - Central Vallejo
replacing outgoing councilmembers Pippin Dew
Dew and Miessner are termed out of office after being elected to the council in 2013
following revelations of his criminal history of domestic violence during his unsuccessful mayoral campaign in 2020
The new council will be tasked with multiple issues
getting a navigation center up and running to serve the city’s homeless
addressing frustrations from community members with the poor roads in town
and repairing the mistrust from the community toward its city government
The new members will leave vacancies in city commissions as both Matulac and Palmares serve on the planning commission
while Bregenzer is a member of the Architectural Heritage & Landmarks Commission
All three will be required to vacate those seats before joining the council
all three new councilmembers will have an opportunity to select a member to the city’s surveillance advisory board
which is tasked with advising the Vallejo City Council on best practices for protecting the privacy
and civil rights of residents when the city chooses to use surveillance technology
members of the surveillance advisory board have their terms tied to the councilmember who appoints them
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