NITEROI, Brazil (AP) - Performers elegantly twisted and twirled above the sandy shores of Icarai Beach, situated across the bay from Rio de Janeiro, in an aerial circus show dedicated to highlighting the pervasive issue of violence against women in Brazil. The performance, titled Alone we are petals, together we are roses, debuted on Saturday in the city of Niteroi, set against the backdrop of Rio’s iconic landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.
The performance opened with a woman in a pink bodysuit, strutting confidently on stilts, only to be knocked to the ground by the male artists. However, the story took a transformative turn as the victim reclaims her agency by exploring physical strength and finds empowerment through the solidarity of other women. The poignant ending featured her returning on even taller stilts, symbolizing resilience and growth.
Rosa Caitanya Hamilton Azevedo, the 31-year-old artist portraying the victim, shared her personal experience with gender-based violence. She emphasized that the journey through struggle ultimately leads to greater strength and self-awareness, although not an ideal manner in which to navigate womanhood.
Juliana Berti Abduch, who also bears the scars of violence, initiated the Suspended Circus Acrobatics project in 2020. While the group's debut performance in 2023 was focused specifically on domestic violence, Abduch clarified that this new piece serves as a broader commentary on the various manifestations of violence against women.
According to Berti Abduch, participation in such projects can serve as a healing mechanism for artists who have endured trauma and fear. She noted that as participants engage in classes, they begin to push past their limitations, resulting in increased security and confidence in their lives. Following the debut, Berti Abduch expressed that the project instills a sense of empowerment in women involved.
The performance drew an audience of approximately 100 attendees, many of whom stopped on their way to enjoy the beach's recreational offerings, such as weightlifting and volleyball, captivated by the visually striking aerial acts involving hoops, trapezes, and silks.
Audience member Fabiane Curione de Medeiros remarked on the show's impactful nature, reiterating the necessity for women's unity and the exposure of violence against them. She stated that the message on stages must transform into a reality.
Recent statistics from a 2025 report by the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety highlighted a vital crisis: over one in three women in Brazil experienced sexual or gender-based violence within a year, marking an increase since records began in 2017. The report indicates that the prevalence of all forms of violence against women is on the rise.
One glaring example of the ongoing battle for women's rights in Brazil is the legal status of abortion. Although abortion is allowed under three specific circumstances—one being cases of rape—dramatic obstacles remain for women attempting to access these services in practice.
Throughout the performance, audience members were confronted with unsettling statistics broadcast from a nearby amplifier, such as the fact that one woman is raped every six minutes in Brazil, as reported by the safety forum.
Hamilton Azevedo articulated the emotional weight of the show, acknowledging the serious subject matter while also emphasizing that it conveys avenues for combating violence. “The performance itself is a strategy,” she noted, underscoring the aim to shift from sorrow to hope, fostering a vision for a better future through art, sport, and empowerment of women.
