Celebrating the centenary of the birth of Bertolt Brecht, Brazilian director and actor Antonio Abujamra, the Ghoete Institute in Sao Paulo, Paz & Terra Publishing Company and The Jornal do Brasil Newspaper, will present a gigantic tribute to the German dramatist. The events will be held in Rio de Janeiro at The Dulcina de Moraes Theatre, throughout the whole year of 1998.

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956), German dramatist and director was also a poet whose unique disengaged treatment of social themes and revolutionary experiments, greatly influenced modern drama and theatrical production.

Abujamra reunited a elite cast of Brazilian actors and directors to perform 49 of Brecht's plays. He also selected an eclectic group of philosophers to lead debates and lectures about the Brecht's influence on the present Brazilian theatre.

Abujamra hasn't particularly directed many of Brecht's plays but admits. ..."It is not necessary to put a magnifying glass in your eyes to realize that Brecht is present, with a strong influence on all my work, as well as on the work of a generation of Brazilian directors."

Here are the upcoming schedules of the events:: Plays: The Good Woman of Setzuan, starring Maria Mariana; The Caucasian Chalk Circle, starring Ulysses Cruz, Tassia Camargo and Domingos de Oliveira; Mother Courage and Her Children, starring Joana Fomm; Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, directed by JoJo Fonseca, in the first semester of 1998.

Debates: Abujamra and the philosophers Gerd Bornheim, Fernando Peixoto, Roberto Schwarz, Jose Celso Martinez Correa, Leandro Konder, on March 2, April 13, June 15 and September 9 at 7PM.

For Information call 021 240 4879 at The Dulcina Theatre in Rio de Janeiro.

--By Nertutila Achao

Brazil Correspondent