Lia de Itamaracá lives just up north of Recife, in The North-East of Brazil, on the gorgeous island of Itamaracá.  A particular tradition was born on the Itamaracá port: while waiting for their husbands to come home with their catch, the fishermen’s wives played and sang the Ciranda.  At 78, Lia de Itamaracá has become one of the most important voices of the Ciranda, the traditional singing of the region.

This music is directly influenced by the African rhythms that developed in the North of Brazil.  During the Colonial period, the state of Pernambuco was a major slave trade center.  It became a cultural melting pot, with influences by the Portuguese and Dutch colonists, as well as the English Jews, the indigenous peoples and, of course, the African slaves.  This created specific styles of music, very different from the rest of Brazil.

The traditional Ciranda is accompanied by percussions and wind instruments.  The voices present themselves often in the question and answer format, between the lead singer and the chorus, the dancers.

When Lia de Itamaracá’s first album came out in 1977, she became Brazil’s most important “cirandeira”.  Stars, such as Gilberto Gil, have sung her Cirandas.  She has influenced artists of the like of Chico Science & Nação Zumbi, Lenine – among others.  Lia has been named a Living Heritage of the state of Pernambuco.  For this concert, Lia leaves her dear island, in order to present her culture, her Cirandas to the Brussels public.