The G20 cordel booklet pays homage to a tradition marked by orality that comes from Portugal and has been consolidated in the Brazilian Northeast. The booklet is being distributed at all G20 meetings where Experiência Brasil is active. It is signed by Mestre Bule-Bule, an artist who has been awarded Brasil's Order of Cultural Merit [Ordem do Mérito Cultural do Brasil]
O G20 mostra ao mundo
O seu marco triunfal
Costa do investimento
Seria o nome ideal
Para um empreendimento
Cultura empresarial
Cada uma das cidades
Que está nesse roteiro
É uma estrela que brilha
No nosso imenso luzeiro
E a nossa constelação
É o povo brasileiro
["The G20 shows the world
Its triumphant milestone
The investment coast
Would be an ideal name
For an enterprise
Business culture
Each of the cities
On this itinerary
Is a star that shines
In our immense luminary
And our constellation
Are the Brazilian people"]
These are two verses from "A jornada do G20 no Brasil" ["The G20 journey in Brasil"], a publication that is being distributed at all the G20 meetings where Experiencia Brasil is active. In this way, as well as music, dance, and gastronomy, delegates from the world's largest international economic cooperation forum can also learn more about the country through its Cordel literature - recognized as the intangible heritage of Brasil by the country's Institute of National Historical and Artistic Heritage [Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional /IPHAN].
The word Cordel comes from the way these booklets were traditionally displayed to be sold on the streets, hanging from ropes, string, or twine [cordas, in Portuguese]. The tradition, which originated in Portugal, became popular in Brasil in the 18th century by telling tales of folklore and everyday life, and later gained regional contours and notoriety in the Northeast of Brasil.
Despite being written on paper, the Cordel tradition is oral: this poetry rich in rhyme and popular language is not only to be read but to be spoken out loud. The cordelista [one who writes Cordel poetry] who signs the verses about the G20 journey in Brasil is Antônio Ribeiro da Conceição or, as he is better known, Mestre Bule-Bule. Cordelista, dancer, singer, and repentista [a poet and musician in Brasil known for their ability to create improvised verses and songs on the spot], the playful Bule-Bule is one of the keepers of Bahia's sertanejo musical traditions. He has published over 100 cordel booklets over his 45-year career.
"It is great to see Cordel literature, a national intangible heritage, illustrating an event as noble as the G20, a success for the world and a joy for us Brazilians," said the "Master" who was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit by the Ministry of Culture in 2008, during the Lula administration.
Another notable aspect of the Cordel is its woodcut print illustrations. Klévisson Viana, Master of Culture of the State of Ceará and member of the Brazilian Academy of Cordel Literature [Academia Brasileira de Literatura de Cordel/ABLC] illustrated Bule-Bule's verses. The cover of the cordel shows Brazilian regionalities and the weight of the G20 in world decisions.
Interested in reading the Cordel? It is now available for download from the official G20 website here. The cordel is available in Portuguese and English.
