Significant censorship cases have marked the cultural scene just five months into the new year. The federal government and some city governments tried to avoid political demonstrations by the artists or to withdraw such works from circulation.
This is the visible part of the 195 cases of curtailment of art recorded since 2019, that is, during the term of Jair Bolsonaro. The data is from Movimento Mobile, a network of organizations that work in defense of artistic freedom.
The most recent cases concern the popular São João celebrations in Pernambuco.
Caruaru City, where the traditional feast of São João de Caruaru takes place, stated in a public notice that any attraction "that expresses political content of any nature" would not be contracted.
Recife's City Hall will also prohibit political manifestations by artists hired to perform at its party.
Before that, the PL, Bolsonaro's party, had sued the Superior Electoral Court against Lollapalooza for alleged early electoral propaganda for the benefit of former President Lula.
During his concert at the festival in São Paulo, singer Pabllo Vittar displayed a red towel with the face of the former president.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon