The exhibition “Resistance is necessary…”, allows young people to better understand the struggles for democratic reconstruction that occurred in the 1960s and 1980s, including the different currents of opposition to the military regime. The performance of the press in hiding, in exile and in newsstands is part of a scenario little known to the current public, despite having played a relevant role throughout the process of redemocratization in the country.Conceived by the Vladimir Herzog Institute, the exhibition keeps the resistance of the press against the military government alive in the memory of Brazilians.

The exhibition that will be at the CCBB on the 50th anniversary of Golpe Militar, is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Banco do Brasil and features works of art, posters, photographs and video testimonials. Resisting is necessary … it also has the support of the Post Office and the BNDES.

“Resistance is necessary” brought together an expressive set of works of art that show the militancy of artists calling for democracy and denouncing the abuses and crimes of the military government.

In those years, a resistance press was also born, which expanded in the country, in hiding and in exile. Many publications in this alternative press were sold on newsstands and, even if censored, were important for resisting the military dictatorship.

The exhibition brings together an expressive set of works of art and historical documents that show the militancy of artists denouncing abuses and crimes of the military government. Among the panels of the exhibition is the collection of Alípio Freire, journalist and former prisoner, which brought together works by plastic artists such as Sérgio Freire, Flávio Império, Sérgio Ferro and Takaoka produced in the prison period, in the Tiradentes prison, in São Paulo. The show also features illustrations by Rubem Grilo, illustrator of publications such as Movimento, Opinion and Pasquim from the 1970s.

The exhibition’s collection has increased, and receives images from photojournalists Luis Humberto and Orlando Brito, who have an important participation in the records of the country’s history. Both registered photos in the dictatorship that expressed the Brazilian political daily life. Many of these images were unpublished and only later became known.

The exhibition will enable young people to better understand the struggles for democratic reconstruction through the timeline, which covers the period from 1960 to 1985 and includes important facts from the political and cultural scene of Brazil and the world.

Highlights

At the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center, a “timeline” will tell the story of the resistance to the military government that was established in Brazil in 1964 and that remained in power until the indirect election of Tancredo Neves, in 1985. During this period, many intellectuals, artists, unions, students and various sectors of civil society fought for the restoration of democracy in Brazil.

The guiding thread of the exhibition is a timeline that goes from 1964 to 1985 and recalls the work of intellectuals and artists in music, literature and fine arts who produced works calling for democracy and denouncing the abuses and crimes of the dictatorship. The works produced by political prisoners are from the journalist’s collection.

One of the best known exhibits is Rubens Gerchman’s Lute, the sculpture of monumental red letters, made boldly in 1965 and of great impact. It is set up in one of the rooms at the end of the show and is an imperative call – at any time and for all just causes.

More works produced at the time are also on display. Carlos Vergara, Cildo Meireles, Claudio Tozi, Alex Fleming, Ligia Pape, Antonio Dias, Amelia Toledo, Pedro Escoteguy, Renina Katz and many others.

Another original piece is the small sketch for the beautiful monument Tortura Nevermore, designed in 1978 for Brasília and signed by Oscar Niemeyer. Called by the people of Arco da Maldade until today it was not built. Oscar described his work as follows: “It is the human figure being pierced by the forces of evil: a 25-meter long spear.”

The last section of this exhibition in honor of those resistant to the Brazilian military government from all corners of the country is a black camera with the names of the dead and missing as if plummeting in a corner of the floor.

In the anteroom of this camera, where the visitor can sit on a rustic wooden bench, the strong verses of the beautiful song by Aldir Blanc and João Bosco, O Bêbado and the tightrope walker: «But I know that such a poignant pain / There is no to be useless.

Bank of Brazil Cultural Center in Belo Horizonte
The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB BH), which is part of Praça da Liberdade Cultural Circuit, one of the tourists favourites destinations, the schedule is full of exhibitions, theatrical performances and music concerts. CCBB offers, as well, workshops and laboratories developed by the Educational Program, which tells not only the history of the capital but the history of the whole country.

Besides the diversified and accessible schedule for all publics, CCBB BH has, as well, bilingual support (Portuguese-English) to the visitors, which facilitates the access of foreign tourists. The schedule of CCBB’s Educational Program offers story telling, dramatized visit and experimentation laboratories. The diversified subjects of the activities attracts visitors of all ages and facilitates the understanding of tourists who are interested in learning more about Brazil.

The Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square) is an architectural complex of great historical and cultural value. It is an authentic example in Belo Horizonte of eclectic and neoclassical architecture in its old buildings and other modern and contemporary constructions. The building that now houses the CCBB hosted the headquarters of the revolutionary forces of Minas Gerais during the Revolution of 1930 – the year in which the building opened. In 1931, the building hosted another important milestone: the visit of the British Royal Family to Belo Horizonte. The princes Edward VIII and George VI were greeted by authorities of the Minas Gerais State with a feast and decorations in the colors of Great Britain’s flag.

The Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Belo Horizonte occupies a building from 1930, fully renovated in 2009, with six floors and 12 thousand square meters of constructed area which puts the CCBB BH among the greatest cultural centers of Brazil. The building has a theatre with seating capacity for 264 people, a multipurpose room for audiovisual, a bookstore and two cafeterias , as well as large exhibition galleries.