Dance and the movimento tradicionalista gaúcho: interview with Paixão Côrtes

Abstract

This text presents the interview with João Carlos D'Ávila Paixão Côrtes, folklorist and traditionalist of prominence in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, on the insertion of the dance in the Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho. This movement began between the late 1940s and the early 1950s and is relevant to the understanding of the Gaúcho’s identity. The dance is inserted only a few years later, especially because of the 35 Centro de Tradições Gaúchas and Grupo Tropeiros da Tradição. In the interview Paixão Côrtes speaks of these first initiatives to collect and publicize traditional dance of Rio Grande do Sul, especially the artistic ensembles that were structured at the time. This interview is integrated with the project Garimpando Memórias (CEME / ESEFID / UFRGS).