SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Filling up the historic center of São Paulo with art, culture, and experiences, thus stimulating a new relationship of people with the region where the city was born, is the goal of the 1st Festival ‘A Vida no Centro’ (“Life in the Center”). With free attractions, it takes place on November 9th and 10th in Praça Antônio Prado, in the downtown area of São Paulo, featuring the “Coreto da Bolsa”, one of the most charming places and which best symbolizes this new moment in the Center, which is transforming itself through gastronomy and culture.
“The purpose of ‘A Vida no Centro’ is to show the best of downtown São Paulo, and this is reflected directly in its culture, history, and architectural beauty. A time for people to experience the Center,” explains Clayton Melo, director of the ‘A Vida no Centro’ platform.
The festival features a concept of ‘Brazilianness’ and diversity, covering people from all over the city, as well as tourists who want to learn about and enjoy the best that the São Paulo Center has to offer. “We have a variety of activities for different audiences at different times of the day. The festival starts with discussions about the city and the challenges of urban life, with experts in topics such as mobility, diversity in companies, business with social impact, but also includes music, gastronomy, and entertainment,” adds Denize Bacoccin, one of the project’s creators.
“The Festival aims to provide greater exposure to the historic center and attract new perspectives to the heart of the city. Most of the population and tourists are still unaware of the cultural vibrancy of this national heritage, which houses museums, galleries, and an incredible gastronomic circuit, among other numerous entertainment options for all tastes and budgets,” says Gê Rocha of CoPlayers.
Among the attractions are artists such as singer Mariana Aydar from São Paulo, musicians from the independent scene such as Thiago Pimentel and Ana Cacimba, party with DJs in the square’s bandstand, children’s arena with storytellers, walks and leisure activities, walking and guided tours to historical buildings in the region.
Debates will also be held to discuss the present and future of downtown São Paulo, open gym class, a pocket edition of the Feira Preta (“Black Fair”), among other surprises. On Sunday morning, a panel at the home of the Bio Ritmo academy on Rua 15 de Novembro will discuss the risks of a sedentary lifestyle and the importance of physical activity for health.
All the attractions are free and, most of them, outdoors. The musical performances are held at Praça Antônio Prado – on stages in the bandstand and in the middle of the square – with the exception of singer Mariana Aydar’s show, which takes place on a stage to be built on Rua 15 de Novembro. Visitors will also have the opportunity to discover historical buildings and the history of the city itself on guided walks that will be held in the surrounding area.
The festival is an initiative of the information and intelligence platform A Vida no Centro and CoPlayers, communication projects. It is sponsored by the Bio Ritmo Group and supported by the City of São Paulo, through the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism.