The International Center was honored to host Professor Tremura for a vibrant and engaging presentation on one of Brazil’s most colorful and heartfelt traditions. Professor Tremura, a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology and faculty member in both the School of Music and the Center for Latin American Studies, also serves as Director of the Brazilian Music Institute, where he brings together students and international artists to explore Brazil’s rich performance traditions.
During his talk, he introduced us to Folia de Reis—the “Festival of Kings”—a lively folk-Catholic celebration in Brazil that takes place between Christmas and January 6. He shared how groups travel from house to house singing, celebrating the birth of Jesus, and reenacting the journey of the Three Wise Men. The event was a wonderful celebration of community, music, joy, and cultural preservation, and we are grateful for the singing, insight and warmth he brought to our audience.