Our flag will always be green and yellow. And red and the colors of the rainbow and all the others you want.
Madonna’s concert on the beach Copacabanaat the Rio de Janeiroon Saturday night (4), was historic for several reasons: Brazil’s ability to hold major events, Rio’s vocation – with all its problems – as a tourist and welcoming city, among many others.
The main one of all, however, was perhaps the most ironic. And this reason had to come from outside for this task. It was necessary for one of the most significant singers in the world to restore our multiple colors, including green and yellow.
With her effrontery, courage and talent, Madonna snatched the worn-out shirt of the Brazilian football team from the hands of the fascists and returned it to the people. And the people we are talking about here are the ones they hate most: the LGBTQIA+. And, as a bonus, black people, women, street vendors, homeless people and all sorts of people who wander through the most famous neighborhood of the most beautiful capital in the country.
Everything was festive and peaceful while Madonna and Pabllo Vittar enjoyed themselves on stage with our positivist banner, often so contrary to what was seen and experienced that night in Copacabana. The big joke that went around was that, finally this time, a 65-year-old lady wore green and yellow inside out. The marchers from 64 and Oito de Janeiro will have to change their costumes.
Tradition, family and property
Between trans, lesbian, Greek kisses, masturbation simulations, drag queens, Madonna broke tradition. And she showed us that the family is much broader than they once wanted; and the property – the beach, the sea, the wind and the air of freedom – belongs to everyone.
And we all were and are with her Marielle Franco, Cacique Raoni, Paulo Freire, Marina Silva, Marta, Caetano Veloso, Gil, Abdias do Nascimento, Maria Bethânia, Pelé, Mano Brown, Sonia Guajajara, Elza Soares, Erika Hilton.
And there was also Cazuza, Renato Russo, the tribute to the AIDS victims, the rhythm boys.
In the end, when the rule passes, it doesn’t matter if there were no musicians on stage, if the city hall paid so much and Itaú paid so much more. If Madonna hasn’t had a hit in who knows how many years. What was seen tonight says much, much more about Rio, Brazil, what we are and want to be, even than about the singer herself.
It was, in short, unforgettable. For all of us, but especially for those who want to forget.
