Bruno Figueiredo: Forró Journey in Norway

Bruno Figueiredo, originally from Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, is a key figure in the spread of forró in Norway. For over a decade, he has shared the magic of forró, a Brazilian rhythm that combines dance and music, with the Norwegian audience. His journey began with quadrilha dancing (a traditional dance from the June festivals, Festas Juninas, where groups dance in pairs following choreographies) during his school years and has evolved into creating a vibrant forró community in Oslo. Through projects like Torsdagsforró and monthly workshops at Uhørt, Bruno has not only taught dance techniques but also inspired a deep cultural connection between Brazilians and Norwegians. In this exclusive interview for "Brasil i Norge," Bruno talks about the challenges and joys of promoting forró in a distant country, his roots in Minas Gerais, and his future plans for forró in Norway.

Bruno Figueiredo Forró in Oslo Norway — Bruno Figueiredo Forró Oslo

What makes forró so special to you? How would you describe the essence of this dance and music to someone who has never heard of it?

Forró is special to me because it's the rhythm through which I express myself musically. It has influenced me from an early age, starting with the traditional quadrilhas (a typical dance during Festas Juninas in Brazil, where groups dance in pairs following choreographed routines). The essence of forró is like a manifestation of folk music, resonating with European and Latin American cultural roots, often tied to religious traditions. Although I am not religious, I feel this historical connection, expressed in the sound of the accordion.

Since you came to Norway over 10 years ago, how has it been to teach forró to the Norwegian audience? What challenges and surprises have you encountered along the way?

I’ve been teaching forró since 2007, and the experience has been incredibly rewarding. It gives me great satisfaction to teach adults to dance, something many have always wanted to do, and to see how they master spins, dance together, and meet new people. This fills me with energy and joy. Most of my students are Norwegians, and the biggest challenges I face involve encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones. We could often teach more people if they just had the courage to take the first step. Once someone takes the leap, it’s almost certain they will learn at least a few steps and spins that can be used on any occasion, like dancing at a wedding. Another challenge is teaching how to balance body weight. It’s not about a lack of rhythm, because everyone can dance to the beat of any instrument in the music. The real difficulty lies in learning how to distribute weight correctly, like in skiing, where it’s crucial to know where to place your body weight when stopping. In forró, when you do a spin, for example, it’s important to shift the weight to the left leg to free the right leg and ease the movement. This is the great challenge.

What inspired you to start the Torsdagsforró project in 2008? How was the initial reception, and how do you view the growth of the forró community in Norway since then?

The Torsdagsforró project, which I started in 2007-2008, began as a pilot project. I was the first person to hold a forró course in Norway, which took place at the University of Oslo for pedagogy students. Unfortunately, the group disbanded after a year due to changes in everyone’s personal lives, and the course remained a pioneering experience. Later, in 2012-2013, after a concert with Diego Oliveira, which was the first forró concert with an artist brought to Norway, I felt it was the right time to start the Torsdagsforró project. This concert, organized by two Norwegian women who had learned forró in Brazil, awakened in me the awareness of the growing forró movement in Europe. Since I was probably the only person in Norway with this expertise, I decided to launch the project, which lasted for about five years and laid the foundation for the establishment of a forró community in the country. The initial reception was excellent, with courses for more than 200 people. Even after I stepped back for health and family reasons, forró continued to thrive, with others taking over the movement. During my absence, two forró festivals were held, and the community in Oslo remained strong. Today, without an exact count, I estimate that at least 200 people in Norway have the ability to dance forró at a basic level.

You manage the group Forró Oslo on Facebook and the community Forró Norway on Instagram. How have these platforms contributed to promoting forró and connecting the local community?

I have managed the Forró Oslo group for about 12-13 years, and recently I started leading the Forró Norway community on Instagram. These platforms have been crucial in connecting the local community and promoting forró. On Instagram, we have noticed greater efficiency in reaching out to people and informing them about events. Tourists who come to Oslo often find us there and inquire about forró events. Thanks to this, we have managed to attract some tourists to our Sunday events and even to forró classes. One example is a Brazilian tourist who happened to be in Oslo on a night when we had a class, and they found us through Forró Oslo on Facebook after reading about it on Instagram. These platforms are therefore essential for keeping the community informed and active.

You organize forró workshops once a month at Uhørt. How have these events contributed to the spread of forró in Oslo and to creating a more solid community?

I have been organizing free forró workshops at Uhørt for a year, and it’s impressive to see how new and different people show up every Sunday. Uhørt has become a true contact point for forró lovers, creating a welcoming environment where people can participate just for fun. The fact that the workshops are free and short attracts many, including those who already dance other rhythms or who have always been afraid to try. When they realize that dancing isn't so difficult or "scary," many end up exploring other rhythms as well. Forró on Sundays at Uhørt has become a meeting place for people who learned to dance forró with me 12-15 years ago, as well as for those who have never heard of the rhythm. It’s very satisfying to see this mix of beginners and veterans coming together and having fun.

Bruno and Ieva during the performance organized by artist Kiki Yakamoto at the Munch Museum in Bjørvika on June 22, 2024

What do you think contributes to the success of forró in Europe, especially in countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Portugal?

I believe the success of forró in Europe is due to an ancestral connection that the rhythm evokes in people. There’s something about the harmony in forró that charms and captivates everyone. It’s hard for anyone to hear forró without liking it, especially because of its diversity—there are bands that mix forró with reggae, coco, maracatu, baião, xaxado, and even samba. This variety makes forró accessible and attractive to different audiences. Additionally, countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Portugal have large Brazilian populations, which makes it easier to spread forró. In Germany, for example, there’s a strong inclination to embrace foreign cultures, which also contributes to the popularity of forró. In France and Portugal, there is a historical cultural connection with forró, which can be traced back to the concept of "forrobodó" or "faux-bourdon," which originated in France and developed in Portugal. Furthermore, many Brazilians who danced forró in Brazil miss it and end up recreating this culture in their new countries, spreading this passion.

Can you tell us a bit about your hometown, Ouro Preto? What cultural and historical aspects have most influenced your childhood?

Ouro Preto instilled in me a deep love for history from a young age. I remember that when I was a child, tourists would stop me and ask where the Casa dos Inconfidentes (an important colonial building) was located. At just six or seven years old, I would immediately point them in the right direction and share some information I had heard from adults. They were impressed and commented on how much a young boy knew about history. This gave me incredible confidence and sparked my love for history, which I eventually studied at the local university. Additionally, it was in Ouro Preto that I had my first encounter with Forró Universitário when the band Falamansa started playing in the region in 1999. The city is also close to Lavras Novas, a district that has become a reference point for rural tourism and forró in Minas Gerais. These cultural and historical elements were fundamental to my upbringing and continue to influence my life to this day.

Foto: Visit Brasil

What are your favorite dishes from Brazilian cuisine? Are there specific dishes you miss in Norway and would like to see more of here?

My favorite dishes from Brazilian cuisine are mostly from Minas Gerais. I really miss frango com quiabo (chicken with okra) that my grandmother used to make, feijão tropeiro (a type of beans with farofa), and tutu de feijão (beans blended into a paste). I also miss feijoada, a traditional dish that could be more present here in Norway. Pão de Queijo, which I also love, we are already able to make here, as we can now find the necessary ingredients. These dishes bring me great nostalgia, and it would be wonderful to see them more available in Norway.

For Norwegians planning to visit Brazil, what places would you recommend? What are the must-see destinations for those who want to explore authentic Brazilian culture?

I strongly recommend that Norwegians visit Minas Gerais, where you can enjoy waterfalls and trails through the cerrado (tropical savanna in Brazil) and the Atlantic Forest. A must-see destination is Parque do Caraça, located in Barão de Cocais, near Ouro Preto and Mariana. There, you can explore an old monastery and seminary that trained several of Brazil’s presidents and now serves as a hotel surrounded by trails and magnificent waterfalls. One of the most magical moments is at eight o'clock in the evening when you can see the maned wolf (Lobo Guará) approaching to eat. Additionally, the districts of Ouro Preto, such as Lavras Novas and Chapada, are highly recommended. For those who want to explore the coast, I suggest Ilha Grande, especially Praia Vermelha, and Praia de Trindade in Paraty. These destinations are part of the Estrada Real, a historic route that transported gold from Vila Rica (the old name for Ouro Preto) to Paraty, offering a unique combination of history and nature.

What would you like to see in the future for the forró scene in Oslo and Norway as a whole? Do you have any future plans or projects you’d like to share?

My dream is to see forró in Norway achieve the status of a cultural institution, perhaps even as an intangible cultural heritage. To achieve this, I would like to establish a non-profit association, similar to the Forró Estocolmo model, where a passionate community organizes annual events and festivals. Ten years ago, I was invited to be a volunteer instructor at the first forró festival in Stockholm, which is now organized by a vibrant association that brings together forrozeiros from all over Scandinavia and beyond. I would love to see something similar in Norway, where forró can grow collectively, supported culturally and secured as a tradition passed down from generation to generation, always alive and vibrant.

Finally, I would like to remind you that on September 12th, we are starting two forró courses that will run for five Thursdays. We have classes on September 12th, 19th, and 26th. We will take a break for the autumn holiday and continue on October 10th and 17th. At 18:00, we will have a workshop for beginners, ideal for those who have never danced or only know the basics. At 19:00, the advanced course begins, aimed at those who already master the basics and want to learn new moves and turns.

In addition, we are organizing a forró night at bar Uhørt on the second Sunday of every month. The upcoming dates are September 10th, October 8th, and November 12th. The program starts at 18:00 with a free workshop for beginners or those who only have a little knowledge of forró. From 19:00 to 22:00, a forró DJ will play, and everyone is welcome to dance until 22:00. Everyone is warmly invited to join us at bar Uhørt monthly, always on the second Sunday of the month, from 18:00.

For those who want to sign up for Bruno Figueiredo's forró course, just click on the link below!