Event Celebrates 65 Years of Instituto Ramacrisna, Drawing Over a Thousand Attendees

This Tuesday evening, October 22, the Grande Theatro Unimed/BH in Belo Horizonte set the stage for an unforgettable event, celebrating the 65th anniversary of Instituto Ramacrisna. The Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra and renowned artist Seu Jorge joined forces to deliver a heartfelt performance, blending the singer’s signature style with the orchestra’s elegance.

The audience enjoyed a special setlist, featuring Seu Jorge’s greatest hits with exclusive arrangements crafted by conductor Eliseu Barros, joined by musicians Elias Barros and Samuel Moura—teacher and student in the Orchestra, respectively—encapsulating the spirit of Ramacrisna’s journey. “It was an incredible honor to have Seu Jorge with us—a man with such a profound life story and inspiring social activism. He brought his soul to the stage, capturing the essence of this special night,” Maestro Barros shared.

Solange Bottaro, Vice President of the Institute, also took the stage to express her gratitude to the audience and partners who have been integral to Ramacrisna’s history. “We thank everyone here, as well as the companies, organizations, and public sector partners who empower our achievements, innovations, and impactful outcomes for communities in multiple cities,” she remarked, moving the crowd further.

Always charismatic, Seu Jorge shared his enthusiasm for being part of the celebration: “I come from a similar background, and I relate to this mission—to bring pride and joy to our families through opportunities like those offered by Ramacrisna. It’s an honor to play with these talented young musicians. Sixty-five years of this work is no small feat, and Ramacrisna has a long future ahead,” he reflected.

The artist, who had previously performed with the Orchestra in “As Cores do Clube da Esquina” this June at the Palácio das Artes, was touched by the musicians’ progress and highlighted the importance of initiatives like this one for empowering youth. “These young people are fantastic. When the Maestro invited me back for this event, I couldn’t say no. Initiatives like this are what change lives, just as they’ve changed the lives of these musicians here,” he said with emotion.

During the performance, the Orchestra paid tribute to Seu Jorge, thanking him for embracing the event so warmly. “It’s a joy beyond words to share this moment of gratitude,” said Vanuza Ferreira, an Orchestra student, in a special poem written for him. “With every song, your story becomes the voice of the community—a testament to resilience and triumph.”

For the audience, the night was memorable not only for the spectacular music but for the celebration and hope that radiated from the stage. The musicians received a well-deserved standing ovation, acknowledging both the magnificent performance and the meaningful work Instituto Ramacrisna has been dedicated to over its 65 years.

The event was a seamless blend of art and philanthropy, brought to life by Instituto Ramacrisna, with support from the Federal Cultural Incentive Law and sponsorship from Instituto Cultural Vale, Instituto Machado Mayer, and Weg.

About the Orchestra

Founded in 2005, the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra was established to bring the beauty of classical music to children and young people facing personal and social challenges in the community of Vianópolis, Betim. Today, it includes 40 students and has performed at major cultural venues in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan area, including CCBB, Teatro Bradesco, Cine Theatro Brasil Vallourec, Palácio das Artes, and PUC’s Museum of Natural Sciences. Its diverse, high-quality repertoire has attracted partnerships with renowned artists such as Italian tenors Claudio Mattioli and Massimiliano Barbolini, lyric tenor Felipe Peletta, and Brazilian stars Céu, Fernanda Takai, Lô Borges, among others.

About Seu Jorge

Seu Jorge is a multifaceted artist celebrated worldwide for his contributions to Brazilian Popular Music (MPB), R&B, and samba, widely credited with popularizing samba-pop. His journey began with the musical A Saga da Farinha and, after his time with the band Farofa Carioca, he launched acclaimed solo albums like Samba Esporte Fino and Cru. As an actor, Seu Jorge has shone in films like City of God and Marighella, as well as the series Irmandade. In 2023, he was named an Ambassador of Brazilian Culture by the Ministry of Culture and recently opened Black Service, a cultural production space.