A Lifeline in the Favelas
In the heart of Rio de Janeiro's sprawling slums, where the allure of fast money often overshadows opportunity, a symphony orchestra is rewriting destinies. Carlos Eduardo Prazeres, son of legendary Brazilian conductor Armando Prazeres, turned his father's legacy into a social revolution by bringing classical music training to children in favelas.
Breaking Cycles with Violins
Growing up surrounded by drug cartel influences, Prazeres saw music as an antidote to despair. 'When you hand a child a violin instead of a weapon, you change their vision of the world,' he explains. His program now engages over 200 young musicians aged 9–17, with 80% showing improved academic performance and zero dropout rates.
Global Harmony
When local funding fell short, support arrived from an unexpected quarter: A European cultural foundation partnered with Brazilian NGOs to provide instruments and scholarships. The orchestra recently performed at the UN Youth Assembly, proving that cross-border collaborations can amplify grassroots change.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
