Aerial Circus Performance Highlights Healing for Women in Brazil

Performers in Niteroi, Brazil, delivered a powerful message about healing and resilience during an aerial circus show aimed at raising awareness of gender-based violence. The performance, titled “Alone we are petals, together we are roses,” premiered on Saturday against the stunning backdrop of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.

The cast, featuring six women and two men, presented a narrative that began with a woman in a pink bodysuit, who initially faced violence from male performers. This dramatic opening served as a metaphor for the struggles many women endure. As the story unfolded, the protagonist reclaimed her strength, ultimately returning to the stage on higher stilts, symbolizing empowerment and solidarity among women.

According to Rosa Caitanya Hamilton Azevedo, a 31-year-old artist who portrayed the victim, the journey through such experiences can lead to greater strength and resilience. “After we go through all of this, we grow even more. We become stronger,” she explained, reflecting on her own experiences with gender-based violence.

Juliana Berti Abduch, the creator of the Suspended Circus Acrobatics project, initiated this venture in 2020 as a means to address domestic violence. The latest performance is not a direct continuation of previous work but rather a fresh approach to tackle multiple forms of violence against women. “Partaking in the project can be healing for the artists who have been subjected to gender-based violence,” Berti Abduch noted, emphasizing the transformative impact the program has on participants.

The performance garnered an audience of approximately 100 spectators, many of whom were intrigued by the visually captivating display of aerial hoops, trapezes, and silks. Among them was Fabiane Curione de Medeiros, who expressed her appreciation for the message conveyed by the show. “I found it impactful. I think the message — that women need to unite and expose the violence — needs to become a reality,” she stated.

Statistics paint a troubling picture of gender-based violence in Brazil. According to a report by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety, more than one in three women in Brazil experienced sexual or gender-based violence within a year, marking the highest rate since records began in 2017. The ongoing struggle for women’s rights is further highlighted by the legal status of abortion, which, while permissible under certain circumstances, remains difficult for many women to access.

During the performance, alarming statistics were announced, including the fact that a woman was raped every six minutes in Brazil last year. Such stark realities serve as a backdrop to the performance, prompting deeper reflection on the challenges faced by women in the country.

Hamilton Azevedo remarked on the dual nature of the performance, stating, “The show generates a heavy atmosphere, because we talk about the situation. But we also show that there are paths and strategies to fight against it.” The production aims to shift the narrative from despair to hope, emphasizing that the future can be built through art, sports, and the empowerment of women.

As the aerial circus continues to shine a light on the issue of gender-based violence, it also fosters a sense of community and healing among those involved. The performers and audience alike are reminded that unity and resilience can pave the way for change.