Founder of Central Única de Favelas (CUFA) and creator of Expo Favela, says event was born out of popular demand and could grow further
When Expo Favella opening its doors in São Paulo, this Friday (17), will be the first step towards the start of the 2023 edition, which will cover 20 Brazilian states until the end of the year. Celso Athayde, founder of the Central Única de Favelas (CUFA) and creator of the event, knows that the path is long, but he is satisfied with the growth and penetration of the idea, which consolidates year after year.
“Expo Favela was born from popular demand. Today the event is starting to become a great response for society. These people have always been seen as needy, minors, low-skilled. Today they are there, they produce, they undertake, with the perception of those who know and it can do amazing things,” he says.
According to Athayde, being present in 20 states, along with those that have performed best in their sectors, is a demonstration of much that can still be done within this sector of society.
“There are more than 500 people, hundreds of entrepreneurs, from the most varied sectors, who spread an idea of how powerful they are. Today they are there, competing for space on equal terms inside the World Trade Center (WTC), the venue for the event here in São Paulo. It’s a transformational cycle that is gaining momentum,” he says.
In São Paulo there are three days of events, which will end on Sunday, at the WTC Events Center. There will be conferences, workshops, exhibitions, business roundtables, startup presentations, debates, courses, shows, films, fashion shows, among other activities.
power
Most importantly, according to Athayde, the venture shows solid growth, far from being a chicken flight.
“Brands are proud, they participate. Anyone who came to last year’s fair realizes that it is not the asphalt that invited the favela. It is our organization, our aesthetics and our mistakes are also present. We share the stage with important people from all over the world sectors. It will be something very effervescent,” he says.
According to him, organizing a fair of this type, present in 20 states, is not an easy thing, but it is being built step by step. He believes that number could grow by the end of the year, as the final date for new states to join will only be finalized in August.
“In Brazil, perhaps today, no event is present in so many states,” he says. He mentions, for example, the Campeonato Brasileiro de Futebol da Série A, which this year will be played in just nine states. “It’s not easy. It takes resources, partners and we’re building it. It’s not cheap.”
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
