| | Born in the city of Itabuna in the Brazilian state of Bahia, Mônica Freire grew up in a family of African, Syrian–Lebanese, Portuguese and indigenous ancestry. Bahia is a land steeped in sunshine and music: It is home to cocoa and coffee plantations, to endless beaches, and is also the cradle of Afro-Brazilian rhythm – of Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, João Gilberto – and novelist Jorge Amado. No matter how far away Mônica’s life would take her – and it would take her far – the culture of her childhood soaked deep into her artistic soul. Read more... | |
