Latest posts by Debora Baldelli
Brazil: High Index on Work Stress
A recent survey by Isma Brazil (International Stress Management Association) reveals that 30% of the economically active population of Brazil has already reached a burn out point at work, coming in just behind Japan. The reasons presented are long journeys, fear of dismissal and absence of a balance between effort...
Cape Verde: Rap as Socio-Political Stage
Blogger Redy Wilson Lima talks about the rescue attempt of Cape Verde identity through art [pt]. For him, rap and the hip hop movement have been the country's socio-political stage since the 90s, giving voice to the oppressed (see the local rap video “Difficult Situation“, pt).
Brazil: The Acknowledgment of Film Blogosphere as Media
The blogosphere is increasingly occupying a strategic role in the dissemination of Brazilian cinema. A large number of blogs focusing on film reviews, professional or not, has become recognized and respected.
Brazil: Michael Jackson Immortalized at a Slum in Rio de Janeiro
Michael Jackson was honored this week in Rio de Janeiro's Santa Marta Slum. The terrace where he recorded part of the video “They don't really care about us” in 1996, is now officially called “Michael Jackson Terrace” and it is also the scenario for a statue of the artist (see...
Brazil: Fire in Rio de Janeiro Mobilizes Online Campaign
One of the city’s postcards, the Lagoa neighborhood, was victim of a huge fire at Morro dos Cabritos, an area of Atlantic Rainforest. Soon a campaign against the release of hot air balloons - which are a possible cause of the fire - began to run through social media.
Brazil: Stefhany, Authentic Pop Star Rises from the Web
Stefhany is known as “Beyonce from Piauí”. Her first video “Eu sou Stefhany” [I am Stefhany], uploaded to Youtube by a friend and fan, has had almost 2 million views so far. She is a great example of Web 2.0's power to create new pop stars.
Brazil: Soccer Dream Team Murals for the World Cup
During the first day of the World Cup, a group of 12 urban artists painted a wall of 240 m2 in the city of Rio de Janeiro featuring what they believe to be the Brazilian soccer dream team. The result may be seen at the event's blog “Grafite Futebol Arte”...
Brazil: Rapper assaulted by Police Peacemaker Unit
MC Fiell, who recently launched a booklet about police approach at ‘favela‘ (slum) Santa Marta, was the target of a violent assault by members of the Police Peacemaker Unit (UPP). In his blog [pt], he describes the event and claims having been beaten when he tried to dialogue besides being...
Cape Verde: Using an Online Tool to Fight Dengue
The Government of Cape Verde is using the internet as a powerful tool to fight dengue [pt]. By creating an epidemiological watch online through which it is possible to insert every new case on a database as soon as it is discovered, they are able to assist and help areas...
Brazil: 5XFavela: Art Breaking Social and Cultural Barriers
5X Favela is a social and cultural project that resulted in a feature film about the country's favelas being presented this week at the Cannes Film Festival. It is the first Brazilian feature film of its kind to be made by slum-dwellers themselves. But before traveling to the festival, Felha, one of the directors was randomly humiliated by police, showing that we still have some way to go in altering this stigma of Brazilian society.
