With Braskem's Support, Junina Pé de Serra Continues to Build Its Legacy During Brazil's June Festivities

Traditional dance group founded in Bebedouro is one of 18 organizations supported through the Socio-Urban Action Plan (PAS)

Maceió, June 24, 2026 - It's " São João " season in Brazil's Northeast, and the Junina Pé de Serra dance group is captivating audiences with vibrant performances across the state of Alagoas. Supported by Braskem through the Socio-Urban Action Plan (PAS), the group's 2026 production, "Three Peoples: The Ox Woven Through Time," celebrates the cultural heritage of Indigenous, African, and Portuguese peoples while telling the story of "bumba-meu-boi ", one of Brazil's most iconic folk traditions.

Throughout June, the group has brought the festive spirit of São João to life with performances in public squares and a variety of event venues across the state. The production has also taken center stage at the Municipal Quadrilha Festival, the Asa Branca/TV Globo Competition, and the Forró e Folia Festival, all part of the 23 ^rd Alagoas Junina Dance Circuit.

" We continue to grow every year, and without PAS support, that simply wouldn't be possible, " said Pé de Serra founder Deraldo Francisco." The program plays a vital role in helping each participating group grow stronger while expanding awareness of their work throughout Alagoas ." According to Francisco, the group has seen steady growth since 2024. Today, it brings together 130 people, including dancers and production staff, ranging in age from 12 to 65.

Returning to Its Roots in Flexal

This year, Junina Pé de Serra returned to perform in the community where it was founded 40 years ago, the traditional fishing village of Flexal, located in the Bebedouro neighborhood.

For Deraldo, returning to the place where the group's journey began was especially meaningful. " It's wonderful to be back in the neighborhood and experience the unique energy of Flexal once again ," he said. " Most of our organizers, including myself, come from that community, so it's incredibly rewarding to return. "

A Team Effort

Pé de Serra 's founder explained that bringing the final performance to the stage requires nearly a full year of preparation behind the scenes. Planning for each new production begins immediately after the São João season ends, when the group's leadership meets to choose the theme for the following year. Rehearsals for the 2027 season, for example, are already scheduled to begin in October.

He added that this year's theme had been a long-standing idea within the group, carefully refined over several years as a tribute to the " Boi Bumbá " tradition in Alagoas. " We wanted to weave together different stories to showcase the strength of the "bumba-meu-boi " tradition in our state ," Deraldo explained. " We literally stitch together the ox featured in our performance while also weaving stories across time, symbolized by the costume worn by our narrator ."

Culture within the PAS

In addition to Junina Pé de Serra , 17 other organizations dedicated to preserving Afro-Brazilian and traditional folk culture will receive support through PAS through the end of the 2026 program cycle. This initiative also helps organize a calendar of initiatives aimed at reviving traditional festivities in the neighborhoods of Chã da Jaqueira, Chã de Bebedouro, Bom Parto, Vila Saem, and Pinheiro.

The Social-Urban Action Plan is established under the Socio-Environmental Agreement, signed by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and Braskem, with participation from the State Public Prosecutor's Office (MPE) and the Municipality of Maceió.