Caetano Veloso, icon of Brazilian song and fierce opponent of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, told AFP that he intended to
"take responsibility"
to call on Brazilians to
"react"
nine months before the presidential election.
To discover
Discover the “Best of the Goncourt Prize” collection
Read alsoCaetano Veloso denounces President Bolsonaro's "fascist" policy
The 79-year-old singer and composer led a collective of around forty artists to organize a musical demonstration in Brasília on Wednesday against the environmental policy of the Bolsonaro government, which is trying to get projects approved at no cost. controversial laws, particularly affecting indigenous territories.
The cantor of tropicalism gave an interview to AFP in his dressing room, before his concert in front of several thousand demonstrators massed in front of the seat of Parliament.
You have been criticizing environmental policy for a long time. Why did you decide to organize this event now?
Some of these bills (on the environment) are already being analyzed in the Chamber of Deputies and will arrive in the Senate.
We had to find the right moment to react.
We were able to bring together artists, as well as representatives of social movements and associations who fight for the defense of the environment.
What are your concerns about indigenous peoples?
The indigenous people are the main victims, they are particularly targeted by the bill which plans to legalize mining activities on indigenous territories.
The argument that we need potassium because of the war in Ukraine (which may affect fertilizer imports from Russia) is just a pretext.
This text is part of a plan to dismantle all environmental protection.
Many other things are being destroyed in Brazil, including cultural activities.
But the environment affects everyone.
Read alsoBrazil: Bolsonaro wants mines in the Amazon for lack of Russian fertilizer
Before the second round of the 2018 presidential election, you said you feared a
"wave of terror and hatred"
if Jair Bolsonaro was elected.
What about today ?
It's horrible what is happening in Brazil.
I lived under a military dictatorship (1964-1985), I was arrested, I had to go into exile.
But today, in the midst of a democracy, some government proposals are even worse.
Brazilians must respond, for the sake of their mental, physical and spiritual health.
What do you expect from the October presidential election?
There is room for optimism, but there is also a lot of fear.
(Bolsonarism) is frightening in its ability to use social media.
It's a global phenomenon, as we saw with Steve Bannon (former adviser to former US President Donald Trump).
It's like a deadly disease that affects the whole of society.
But I am pragmatically optimistic and I don't want to run away from my responsibilities.
How important is artist engagement?
They have to come forward, because a large part of the population identifies with them.
And artists are often very sensitive to the ecological cause.
We must play our role as speakers to denounce the evils that afflict the people.
Do you think that a possible defeat of Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential election could have an immediate effect on the atmosphere in the country?
Bolsonaro may lose.
But what it represents is not disappearing overnight.
I hope he doesn't win, but bolsonarism is not going to go away so easily.