Performers in Niteroi, Brazil, captivated an audience with an aerial circus show aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence. The performance, titled “Alone we are petals, together we are roses,” took place on a beach across the bay from Rio de Janeiro, featuring breathtaking acts against the backdrop of iconic landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.
The show premiered on Saturday, showcasing a cast of six women and two men. The narrative begins with a woman in a pink bodysuit, who initially appears vulnerable as male artists knock her to the ground. However, she gradually reclaims her strength, exploring her physical capabilities and drawing courage from her fellow performers. By the end of her journey, she returns on stilts, symbolizing empowerment and resilience.
Rosa Caitanya Hamilton Azevedo, a 31-year-old artist who portrays the victim, expressed her personal connection to the theme. “After we go through all of this, we grow even more. We become stronger,” she commented. Azevedo’s experience with gender-based violence adds depth to her performance, highlighting the emotional journey many women face.
The project was conceived by Juliana Berti Abduch, another survivor of gender-based violence, who established the Suspended Circus Acrobatics initiative in 2020. This performance marks the group’s latest effort to address violence against women, following a previous show focused on domestic abuse. Abduch emphasized that this new piece is not a direct continuation but rather an expansion of their mission to combat various forms of violence.
Participation in the circus serves as therapeutic for the artists involved, helping them overcome fears and trauma. “From the moment they start the classes, they begin to overcome their limitations,” Abduch noted. She believes the project significantly enhances the women’s confidence and security in daily life.
Approximately 100 spectators attended the performance, with some drawn in by the striking visuals of aerial hoops, trapezes, and silks. Among the audience was Fabiane Curione de Medeiros, who remarked, “I found it impactful. I think the message — that women need to unite and expose the violence — needs to become a reality.”
The situation facing women in Brazil is alarming. A report by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety revealed that more than one in three women experienced sexual or gender-based violence within a year, marking the highest incidence since records began in 2017. The report also highlighted that a woman was raped every six minutes in Brazil last year, underscoring the urgent need for change.
During the performance, the audience was confronted with these stark statistics, amplifying the gravity of the issue. “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,” Hamilton Azevedo explained.
The artists aimed to balance the presentation of harsh realities with a message of hope. “We wanted to move away from that place of sadness and hold onto hope that the future will be better,” Hamilton Azevedo stated. She emphasized that the performance itself is a strategy for empowerment, using art and sport as tools for building a brighter future for women.
The aerial circus not only entertained but also sparked conversations about the critical need to address gender-based violence, encouraging unity among women and raising awareness within broader society.
