Choro, a genuinely Brazilian musical genre, also known as ‘chorinho’, has been declared a cultural heritage of Brazil, a recognition of its significance to the culture and history of the country.
This genre is characterized by the use of instruments such as mandolin, flute, seven-string guitar, pandeiro, cavaquinho, and clarinet, which form the basis of choro groups. However, several other instruments can be added depending on the hundreds of ‘choro circles’ that have formed throughout Brazil.
The announcement of this designation was made on Thursday (02/29) by the Advisory Council of Cultural Heritage, chaired by the National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN), linked to the Ministry of Culture.
According to IPHAN, the term “choro” derives from the melancholic way of playing foreign music at the end of the 19th century, which led its enthusiasts to call it “music that makes you cry.”
The request for recognition was presented by several organizations, including the Clube de Choro de Brasília, the Instituto Casa do Choro of Rio de Janeiro, and the Clube de Choro Santos from the state of São Paulo. With this recognition, choro will be inscribed in the IPHAN Book of Forms of Expression, alongside 52 other items of intangible cultural heritage.
The president of the Clube de Choro de Brasília, musician Henrique Lima Santos Filho, known as Reco do Bandolim, commented on the importance of this registration, saying: “It is an act that makes us proud and represents the nation. It is the first genuinely Brazilian manifestation prior to samba, reflecting our profile and deep soul. Choro brings together influences from Europe and Africa; each region has its richness. All these elements mix and transform into this rhythm.”
The Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, praised IPHAN’s decision, stating that choro “is a construction of the Brazilian people, loved by the Brazilian people and should be embraced by them.” She emphasized the beauty and importance of chorinho as heritage, highlighting its significance for the Brazilian people.
Source: Agência Brasil