A letter to you

Hi!

I’m Anna Marques – Founder of the Baile Project 

And today we start this blog – think of it as a chat, a coffee break – I’m sipping on my cafézinho right now.

Today, I want to share with you why I created the Baile Project and what it’s all about.

From Brazil to the World: A Journey of Culture and Identity

A few years ago, I moved out of Brazil to pursue many dreams of a better life. I like to think of every immigrant as a dreamer, and to be that dreamer, you need to be brave.

No matter how your journey started, I’m sure you’re not the same person you were when you left. 

Maybe your experience was full of joy, simplicity, and excitement – or maybe it was challenging, lonely, and filled with ups and downs. Or maybe it was a mix of both.

Like most expats, I faced many challenges – from cultural shock and language barriers to finding my place in a new reality. 

But at the same time, living here has also brought me moments of unexpected warmth. Going to a Brazilian market, grabbing a bag of frozen pão de queijo, hearing a Brazilian song in a restaurant, or attending a Brazilian or Latin dance class – these little moments instantly made me feel at home. 

And feeling at home is something we all seek when living abroad.

Creating Baile Project

However, I also encountered something I wasn’t expecting – like xenophobia, in many forms, sometimes disguised as jokes. 

There’s also the stereotype of Brazilian and Latin women – often seen as hypersexualized figures, portrayed as mere objects of desire. This is a problem we’ve historically faced, and one that continues to be perpetuated by the media and popular culture. 

But the truth is, we are so much more than that. 

Our culture is rich, diverse, and complex, with many colors, shapes, and stories. There’s so much depth to us that’s often overlooked or reduced to shallow stereotypes. 

From this realization, I knew I had to create something that would reflect the true richness of our culture and show it in all its layers. That’s how the Baile Project began – as a performing arts initiative dedicated to Brazilian and Latin culture, with a focus on breaking down barriers and bringing people together.

What started as a dance class has now evolved into something much more. Baile is not just about dance – it’s about creating a space for cultural exchange, where people from different nationalities and backgrounds can meet, share, and learn from each other. As a cultural platform, Baile offers a wide variety of events, courses, and workshops related to art and cultural heritage, fostering connections between immigrants and locals, and building bridges across communities. 

A Community Without Borders

Baile is proud to lead cultural innovation in the Netherlands and Europe, bringing heritage and knowledge of Brazilian funk and Reggaeton dance culture to the forefront, while highlighting Latino artists in a fresh and innovative way within the cultural landscape. Additionally, Baile is pioneering a unique initiative that connects immigrants and locals through art, fostering cross-cultural exchange and community building.

When I arrived in the Netherlands as an immigrant, I found it difficult to connect with the local community. Making new friends wasn’t easy. But through dance, art, and cultural activities, I found my way in. It’s this experience that inspired me to create Baile Project – a space to connect immigrants and locals, to bring people of different nationalities together, and to celebrate our shared humanity.

At the heart of Baile Project is a commitment to cultural exchange, inclusivity, and promoting conversations around important societal issues such as racism, xenophobia, gender inequality, and cultural preservation. 

We are creating a society where people from all corners of the world can feel free to practice their culture, while also learning from and respecting others. A place where connection, understanding, and mutual respect come first.

The Baile Project is a cultural platform for expats, locals, internationals of all colors, ages, genders, and backgrounds – a place to meet, celebrate, and grow together.

Thank you for your continued support, and I can’t wait to share more with you in our next letter!

Warm regards, 

Your brazilian amiga,

Anna Marques