Hello, my name is André, people call me “Gandhi”. The role I’ve played in this event is that I’ve been a bridge between Berlin, Germany and Almada. I’m originally from Almada but I’ve been living in Berlin during the last years. In Berlin I met Nathan and one day, while we were speaking, he showed interest in organizing a percussion event in Portugal. And I had some contacts there, so that’s how it started. We came here, we’ve gotten to know Dez, and there was also another guy interested in percussion, Daniel, also from Berlin, so things grew organically from there. For me this concept of village and community makes a lot of sense because we spend 10 days together in this place. We’ve met every year during the past three years, but this is the first time that this is a 10 day gathering with dance, percussion and dun dun dance. The idea is to step out of our comfort zone, because this year we’re in Proença-a-Nova and none of us is from Proença-a-Nova.
Therefore we’re not only getting to know a different culture but also a different place in Portugal. Sharing not only the experience of African culture, but also being involved in a different community, in a different place. Good morning, my name is Sérgio. I’m one of the invited people teaching the beginners at Djembe Camp Village, where a lot is shared from the world of percussion.
We have special guests like Master Sáná Camara, Kerfalla Sylla and Ma Camara, who joined this artistic residence in order to empower us in doing what we love, which is to play and be together. I loved the good moments and loved the location as well as everything else. All the people are friendly and all the students are very attentive. So I really enjoyed myself. I really enjoyed sharing my musical knowledge with the people. I felt great. So, there. I am really happy with everything. It's not only that I came here to work, I also discovered a lot. There are a lot of differet characters here at the ADC. So I really enjoyed myself. What’s so special about ADC?
It’s a place surrounded by nature, therefore people come with a different intention from the start, in a mindset of liberation so to speak.
When we’re here after 10 days, and what’s been happening throughout the years with ADC, is that we experience a growing feeling of unity, friendship and care. ADC becomes a family, people search for more than education, but also for what comes after that, meaning a network of contacts and lovers of this type of culture. Hi, my name is Marisa Camara. I’m grateful for this wonderful festival that invited me to come to Portugal and teach a dance course. I’m the teacher of African dance. Everything was great, the organization team was great, the place is beautiful, with African dance, dun dun percussion, yoga, etc. We’re very happy to be here for 10 days. The sound was great. It went well, everyone was happy.
Everyone played very well and all of the students are also very happy. The workshop has gone very well. Truthfully, I am very happy, very happy, very happy and I would like to thank everyone including the organisers. This type of initiative makes us grow in this culture. It makes us come closer together, creating our djembe family. – I am filming!.