Two award-winning Brazilian artists set to perform in Zanzibar

Unguja. Two celebrated Brazilian musicians, Ivan Sacerdote and Felipe Guedes, are set to grace Zanzibar with their extraordinary talents in a special arts and cultural performance on January 26, 2025.

The performance, organized by the Brazilian Embassy in Tanzania in partnership with the Governor of Bahia, Brazil, and the Dhow College of Music Academy (DCMA), promises to be a unique blend of Brazilian and Zanzibari musical influences.

Sacerdote, a renowned philosopher and musician, and Guedes, an award-winning guitarist, will perform alongside the gifted musicians of Zanzibar’s Dhow College of Music Academy (DCMA).

Their collaboration will fuse their distinct Brazilian styles with Zanzibar’s rich musical heritage, creating a captivating performance for music lovers from both regions.

The event will take place at Maru Maru in Zanzibar, starting at 6:30 PM and running until 4:00 AM. This highly anticipated cultural exchange will highlight both the traditional and modern musical landscapes of Brazil and Zanzibar, showcasing the depth and diversity of their musical expressions.

In a statement on January 21, 2025, Brazil’s Honorary Consul in Zanzibar, Abdulsamad Abdulrahim, explained that the collaboration aims to celebrate Zanzibar’s traditional music and promote the preservation of the island’s rich musical heritage, alongside the vibrant sounds of Brazil’s Bahia region.

He added that this event is a step towards strengthening the cultural ties between Brazil and Tanzania, fostering closer diplomatic and tourism relations between the two nations.

“This performance is part of a broader effort to deepen the relationship between Brazil and Tanzania, following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to Brazil in November 2024,” Abdulrahim said.

He went on to highlight the musical journey that Sacerdote and Guedes will embark on with their Zanzibar counterparts: “The artists will bring their creative energy to the stage, blending Brazil’s historically rich sounds with fresh and dynamic rhythms. It’s going to be an unforgettable night.”

The Dhow College of Music Academy (DCMA), located in the heart of Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town, is the only institution in the region offering formal education in both traditional and contemporary music.

DCMA has long been dedicated to preserving and promoting Zanzibar’s unique coastal music traditions, including taarab, kidumbaki, and various local dance forms.

Halda Alkanaan, Director of DCMA, emphasized the significance of the upcoming performance for the college.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with international artists and showcase the rich musical culture of Zanzibar. We are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians and helping them embrace both their local heritage and global collaborations,” she said.

For those fortunate enough to attend, the performance promises a vibrant and inspiring celebration of music that spans continents and cultures, as Sacerdote and Guedes join forces with Zanzibar’s musical talents to create a truly unforgettable evening.