Today I’m so excited to introduce you to my multi-talented Brazilian friends Bernadete Fiorini and Gianfranco Fiorini. They have an inspiring story that I want to share with you. So here I go:
Several years ago Bernadete and Gianfranco Fiorini had a dream. They dreamed about buying an old truck that they could turn into a mobile theater. They wanted to hit the road and take their puppet show everywhere, just like in the old Mabembe theater tradition, where the artists traveled from town to town to perform their plays on improvised stages . Wouldn’t that be wonderful? They thought.
Bernadete and Gianfranco didn’t waste any time. They started thinking about how to turn their dream into a reality. Gianfranco knew about cars and about how to fix them. But he also knew that this was going to be a real challenge.
In 1999 Bernadete and Gianfranco were ready to take the first step forward. After much thinking, they finally invested their precious savings in an old and rusty 1939 Ford truck. We did it! They couldn’t believe it. But now? Are we going to make this bunch of metal work? Bernadete and Gianfranco wondered while scratching their heads. Building our dreams could be a scary thing sometimes.
Here is Gianfranco next to his investment, still in a raw state. If you cover the right half of his face and then the left side you will see how his left side looks worry while his right side looks excited . That’s how Bernadete and Gianfranco felt about their ambitious project. This is the stage that we experience at the beginning of any challenge. A mix of concern and excitement.
“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”–Napoleon Hill.
It is easy to tell a story through a few pictures. But the work of reconstruction and adaptation of this masterpiece, totally made by Gianfranco, consumed 4 long years of research, creativity, investment, resourcefulness and patience. Let’s take off out hats for Gianfranco and Bernadete.
There they go! Isn’t it inspiring seeing something dead come back to life? That is one of the miracles that creativity does.
The Fiorinis’ truck has been everywhere in Minas Gerais.
Nothing stops them from bringing their magic to children and adults even in the most remote locations.
And here is the reward. Seeing all those little happy faces is priceless. There is nothing more rewarding than human connection.
The Fiorinis, in collaboration with their three daughters, close relatives and friends, have created a tight family that stays united through the power of their magic truck. What it started as a dream is now a reality that keeps them alive, inspired and active. Each trip is a new adventure.
I was talking with Bernadete about the challenges that life brings. They, like everyone else on planet Earth face challenges, but as soon as they hit the road the problems become smaller. It feels good when what you do has a positive impact on people. The Fiorinis are a perfect example of what creative minds can do when they join forces. I hope that you enjoyed this story. But that is not all. As I said in the beginning, the Fiorinis are multi-talented. This is not the only thing that my friends do. But that’s material for a couple of more posts.
I want to end this post with something that my Mother in law shared on her blog , it is a quotation by Roger Ebert, the beloved film critic that passed away earlier this month.
“I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. . . I didn’t always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out”.
That is the philosophy of my friends Gianfranco↑ and Bernadete↑ and it is also the philosophy behind Art is a Way.
Have a wonderful day!
Elsita 🙂
Elsita, thank you for sharing this story with us! I felt like in fairytale. I really start to believe that everything is possible – it takes a real desire, patience and time …and hard work, too. Reading this really made me happier 🙂 And just look at those children faces in photos!
You’re right, Kaiva! When we put our hearts into things, anything is possible. Bernadete and Gianfranco’s story is a great example of it. I’m so glad that you liked it!
Elsa Mora recently posted..The Revival Story of a Truck. A Brazilian Family that Built Their Dreams from Scratch.
What a beautiful story! I love the tradition of mambembe theater here in Brazil.
And your drawings just make it more happy!
Thank you, Joyce! The mabembe theater is a tradition that should be revived all over the world. 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..The Revival Story of a Truck. A Brazilian Family that Built Their Dreams from Scratch.
I LOVE this story. I lived in Minas Gerais for two years. The Brazilian people are very very special people and I know getting a visit from Gianfranco and Bernadete’s theater must be so welcomed in each of the little towns in Minas. If they are planning to go to Conselheiro Lafaiete, let me know and I will try to do some advertising before their arrival. I am still in contact with some families there.
Hi Donna! I’m so excited to hear that you used to live in Minas Gerais! Bill is trying to get a film project in Brazil so we can go there in the future. I LOVE my brazilian friends, they’re all unique and so down to Earth and talented. One of them is a successful musician. He just called last night, whenever he’s in in LA he calls us. I wish that I could go to Conselheiro Lafaiete one day!!
Elsa Mora recently posted..The Revival Story of a Truck. A Brazilian Family that Built Their Dreams from Scratch.
Lovely story and images, really inspiring.
Catharine recently posted..Flower Child
Thanks a lot, Catharine! 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..The Revival Story of a Truck. A Brazilian Family that Built Their Dreams from Scratch.
Sensacional esta história, excelente o trabalho desta trupe. Uma Família que pratica o Teatro com amor e muita dedicação.
Concordo, Hermes. Esta é uma família muito especial e muito talentosa 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..The Revival Story of a Truck. A Brazilian Family that Built Their Dreams from Scratch.
VER ARTISTAS NA ESTRADA,É UM BANHO DE ALEGRIA E ENERGIA NA ALMA!
Olá Tião! Obrigado pelo seu comentário 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..The Revival Story of a Truck. A Brazilian Family that Built Their Dreams from Scratch.
Arriba!Que bom ver o desenrolar desse novelo lindo que é a “Família Fiorinni”, por aqui estamos todos da família torcendo para que continue a desenrolar o novelo até conquistar o mundo todo!
abraços
Frajolla e Mariola
Elsita dear, dear friends,
Yesterday we got from another long trip and only now I see this beautiful messages. I am thrilled for the affection and respect of all of you.
Thank you, Elsita, for the affection with which you prepared this post, playing with yor art this tasty piece of our lives!
Thank you all for your friendship and … lets travel in the truck!
Bernadete