The Sondilá Project was founded and is led by Diego Calasso, a multifaceted artist born in São Paulo who has been living in Europe for several years. With experience in music, theater, capoeira, and circus arts, he created the project as an open space for artistic collaborations and knowledge exchange, emphasizing the oral traditions present in popular culture.

Coming from a family of artists, Diego was exposed to great names in Brazilian culture from an early age, developing a deep appreciation for various artistic expressions. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous artistic projects, such as CETE (a theater company in Rio de Janeiro), The Bigosty Show’s (circus), and musical groups like El Cartel Cumbia, Tião Carvalho, and Ciganos en Fuga. He was also part of a samba, capoeira, and maculelê performance with the Ginga Original group.

For the past seven years, Diego has been leading an innovative educational project in Lugano, in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, which combines various elements of games, rhythms, and dances. His initiative integrates practices such as capoeira and traditional children’s games—like mãe da rua and pula cela—with Brazilian rhythms such as ijexá, maracatu, and samba, promoting an education that values diversity and cultural respect.

The Sondilá Project has always been and will continue to be open to welcoming, learning, and sharing. It has already hosted renowned capoeira and Brazilian percussion masters in Europe, organizing workshops, immersive experiences, and meaningful cultural exchanges. This intercultural dialogue strengthens the presence of Brazilian culture abroad and provides European participants with access to authentic traditions. The project serves as a bridge between cultures, encouraging mutual learning and the appreciation of cultural roots through art, music, and movement.