Choro, a genuinely Brazilian musical genre, also known as ‘chorinho’, has been declared a cultural heritage of Brazil, recognizing its importance in 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 ‘rodas de choro’ (choro gatherings) that have formed throughout Brazil.
The announcement of this designation was made on Thursday (Feb. 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”, which means weeping, derives from the melancholic way of playing foreign songs in the late 19th century, with its enthusiasts calling it “music that makes you cry”.
The request for recognition was presented by several organizations, including the Clube do Choro de Brasília, the Instituto Casa do Choro of Rio de Janeiro, and the Clube do Choro de Santos in the state of São Paulo. With this recognition, choro will be recorded in the IPHAN Book of Forms of Expression, alongside 52 other intangible cultural heritage assets.
Henrique Lima Santos Filho, president of the Clube do Choro de Brasília, a musician known as Reco do Bandolim, commented on the importance of this registration, saying: “It is a treasure that fills us with pride 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.”
Culture Minister 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