Repente Poetry Connects Generations in Maceió

Projects supported by the Cultura em Movimento Call for Proposals visit schools across the capital, helping keep alive one of Northeast Brazil's oldest traditions

Maceió, October 29, 2026 - Through rhymes and chords, repente , one of Northeast Brazil's oldest traditions, is being introduced to new generations of Maceió residents. Through projects supported by the Cultura em Movimento Call for Proposals-an initiative funded by Braskem and part of the Socio-Urban Action Plan (PAS)- repente poets visit public school classrooms, where the art of improvisation finds, in the wonder in each student's eyes, a way to endure over time as part of Brazil's intangible cultural heritage.

These initiatives help ensure the continuity of a cultural tradition historically passed down through oral transmission and interaction between masters and apprentices. The call for proposals made it possible, for example, to expand the Poeta nas Escolas project, carried out by the Associação dos Violeiros e Trovadores de Alagoas (AVTA) , an association of traditional viola players and folk poets. The workshops combine repente performances with the creation of cordel literature by the children.

"We start the activities by singing repente and engaging the students in playful activities. Then we move on to the writing workshop. That's when we show them how it's done and teach them the full structure of the verses. Some students discover their talent right there and start creating their own work straight away. It's amazing," says repente poet Luiz Nascimento, director of AVTA.

Through the Poeta nas Escolas project, Luiz visited five public schools: João Paulo II and Adeilza Maria Oliveira State Schools, in Chã da Jaqueira; Sebastião da Hora State School, in Pitanguinha; José Remi Lima State School, in Clima Bom; and Dom Antônio Brandão Municipal School, in Tabuleiro do Martins. The activity resulted in a book based on themes chosen by the students and assigned among the groups of young cordel poets.

New Talents, Tradition Kept Alive

It was also through the Cultura em Movimento Call for Proposals that Neildo Marcelino, known as "Marcelino do Repente," and his daughter Kerem Dantas brought repente to Zumbi dos Palmares Municipal School, in Clima Bom. The workshops covered everything from the art of rhyming to performing with the viola. At the end of the program, the community came together for a festival of cantoria .

At 61, Marcelino represents the second generation of a family of repente poets and recognizes the importance of bringing this art form into schools. "It's the best way to discover new talent and keep the tradition alive," he says.

Afredo Zanon, Braskem's Social Initiatives Coordinator, explains that supporting these artists means recognizing that popular culture carries memory, identity, and a sense of belonging. "The classroom is a fundamental space for preserving cultural traditions. With every rhyming challenge, repente keeps pulsing, enduring, and finding a new home in the hearts of young students. We are certain that what is being planted today, verse by verse, will be reaped tomorrow as identity and pride," he says.

Other Initiatives

Another initiative supported by the call for proposals was the Noite da Viola Nordestina festival, which celebrated the legacy of folk poets such as João Procópio, recognized as Living Heritage of Alagoas, and helped keep the art of improvisation alive and relevant. Held in the Bom Parto neighborhood, the event brought together master viola players and repente poets from Alagoas and other states, including Pernambuco and Paraíba.

Projects centered on repente are part of a broader set of initiatives funded through the Cultura em Movimento Call for Proposals. In total, 112 initiatives were selected, all related to Popular Culture and Afro-Brazilian Culture.

About PAS

The call for proposals is one of the measures implemented under the Socio-Urban Action Plan (PAS), which is provided for under the Socio-Environmental Agreement entered into by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and Braskem, with the participation of the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE) and the adherence of the Municipality of Maceió.

The initiatives include the construction or renovation of daycare centers, markets, public squares, and healthcare facilities, as well as measures in the cultural, social, economic, and urban development areas. Some of the actions are implemented by Braskem, while others are carried out by the Municipality of Maceió. The updated budget, funded by the Company, is approximately BRL 260 million.

About Braskem

Braskem develops chemical and plastic solutions that are part of the daily lives of millions of people. As a global petrochemical company, it connects different segments of the value chain and works alongside customers, suppliers, and communities to create shared value. Its portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products serves industries such as packaging, construction, mobility, healthcare, hygiene, agribusiness, and manufacturing. Braskem is committed to increasing plastic circularity and expand the use of renewable-sources materials, guided by the belief that innovation and collaboration are essential to building a more sustainable future. At the same time, the company strives to conduct its operations responsibly, strengthen dialogue, and contribute to the development of the communities where it operates. With operations in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports to more than 71 countries and remains committed to ethics, compliance, and responsible competitiveness.

 

 

PHOTO CREDITS - Philipe Medeiros/Divulgação/Braskem