Aerial Circus in Brazil Highlights Healing Through Art for Women

Performers in Niteroi, Brazil, captivated an audience with an aerial circus show that spotlighted the urgent issue of gender-based violence in the country. On Saturday, six women and two men presented “Alone we are petals, together we are roses,” a performance designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by female victims. The backdrop featured the iconic Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, adding a striking visual element to the message.

The performance began with a woman dressed in a pink bodysuit skillfully walking on stilts. In a dramatic twist, the male performers knocked her down, symbolizing the impact of violence. However, the narrative shifted as the character reclaimed her power, showcasing her physical strength and the courage found in solidarity with other women. At the finale, she returned on even taller stilts, embodying resilience and empowerment.

Rosa Caitanya Hamilton Azevedo, a 31-year-old artist who portrayed the victim, emphasized the transformative journey many women undergo. “After we go through all of this, we grow even more. We become stronger,” Azevedo shared, reflecting on her own experiences with gender-based violence. This performance marks a continuation of the work initiated by Juliana Berti Abduch, who founded the Suspended Circus Acrobatics project in 2020. The group’s first performance in 2023 addressed domestic violence, while the latest piece expands the conversation to encompass various forms of violence against women.

Participation in the project offers a therapeutic outlet for artists who have faced trauma. Many arrive feeling fearful, but as they engage in aerial arts, they begin to overcome their limitations. “I’m certain that the project helped make the women feel much more secure,” Berti Abduch stated following the debut of the new piece.

Approximately 100 spectators gathered along the beach, where the performance took place amidst sunbathers and volleyball players. Audience member Fabiane Curione de Medeiros expressed her thoughts, stating, “I found it impactful. I think the message — that women need to unite and expose the violence — needs to become a reality.”

The statistics surrounding gender-based violence in Brazil are staggering. According to a 2025 report from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety, more than one in three women in Brazil experienced sexual or gender-based violence within a year. This figure represents the highest rate recorded since data collection began in 2017.

During the show, distressing statistics echoed from nearby speakers, including the alarming fact that a woman was raped every six minutes in Brazil last year. “The show generates a heavy atmosphere because we talk about the situation. But we also show that there are paths and strategies to fight against it,” Azevedo noted.

The performers aim to shift the narrative from despair to hope, advocating for a future fueled by art, sport, and the empowerment of women. “We wanted to move away from that place of sadness and hold onto hope that the future will be better,” Azevedo added, emphasizing the importance of community and resilience in the face of adversity.

As the aerial circus concluded, it not only entertained but also inspired dialogue around an essential issue, serving as a reminder of the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Brazil. The performance exemplified how art can be a powerful medium for healing and advocacy in a society grappling with significant challenges.