Samba in the heart of Szczecin. Hot rhythms and urban stories on the promenade.

A scorching August afternoon transformed Szczecin's city center into a street scene pulsating with the rhythm of samba. As part of the inaugural "Voice and Rhythm of Brazil in Szczecin" series, the Bloco Pomerania band spurred passersby to dance on Bogusława Promenade and in front of the fountain in Zamenhof Square.

The sound of the drums bounced off the facades of the buildings, creating a wave of energy that was impossible to resist. Tourists and locals alike stopped to listen, take photos, and often join in the jiggling to the rhythm of the batucada.

Between musical sets, city guide Przemek Głowa introduced the audience to lesser-known chapters in Szczecin's history. He spoke about Brazilian footballers playing for Pogoń, ships being built at the shipyard for South America, and the port city's unique ties to the land of samba. In the sun-drenched air, his words mingled with the sound of drums, creating a story that connected the past and present.

Today's concert is just the beginning of a project that will run until October. The program will include concerts in public spaces, workshops led by international artists, and educational meetings. The next event is scheduled for August 16th at the Śródmieście Gardens, where Valdir Jovenal, a vocalist and percussionist from Olinda, Brazil, will lead an open roda de samba workshop. The day will culminate in a concert featuring the Berlin band Ilustra Samba and Bloco Pomerania.

The next installments of the series will take place on September 28th and October 26th at the Academy of Art in Szczecin, where participants will learn about the history of samba, its African roots, and its contemporary facets. Bloco Pomerania, present on the scene for 18 years, has once again proven that music can unite people, fill the streets with joy, and transform a heated city into a Brazilian carnival.

(dg)